HOME DEPARTMENT

Afghanistan

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of a potential link between the terrorist threat from the Taliban and the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan in 2014.

James Brokenshire: We are in Afghanistan to protect our National Security by helping the Afghans to take control of their own. Transition of lead security responsibility to the Afghans is on track for completion by the end of 2014. By then Afghanistan will have sovereign security forces—mainly police and army—numbering over 300,000. If groups like the Taliban continue fighting against the Afghan security forces they will be facing strong and capable Afghans and their narrative of resisting foreign occupation will ring hollow.

Asylum

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the (a) average and (b) maximum price per night per person for asylum seekers being accommodated in hotel accommodation pending long-term dispersal accommodation being provided was in each region in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Mark Harper: holding answer 9 December 2013
	Destitute asylum seekers are normally housed in initial accommodation centres before moving to longer term dispersal accommodation. Hotels are only used for this purpose as contingency bed spaces when there are short-term spikes in demand for accommodation. Any extra costs between the standard contract rate and the rate charged by the hotel will be met entirely by the provider, not the taxpayer.
	The specific financial information requested is commercially confidential. The Home Office is obliged to treat this information as commercially sensitive under the contracts it has entered into with accommodation providers. If we were to disclose the information you have requested, this would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of both the Home Office and those companies with whom the Home Office enters into contracts.

Asylum

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people from which country of origin were granted asylum on grounds of religious persecution in each year since 2007.

Mark Harper: We are unable to provide you with this information. This is because the Home Office's Case Information Database (CID) does not hold data on the specific grounds for granting asylum. This information is only held within paper case files, which would mean your question could be answered only through a disproportionately expensive manual case search.

Asylum: Finance

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what safeguards her Department has put in place to ensure that Azure Payment Cards issued to those receiving support under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 are used only in accordance with her Department's rules for the card; and what steps she takes to monitor compliance.

Mark Harper: The Home Office works closely with its contractor and the retail outlets affiliated to the Azure card scheme to ensure that the card's rules are applied properly, including the prohibition on purchases of alcohol, tobacco, vehicle fuel and gift cards.
	The card also contains various automated features designed to ensure compliance with the relevant rules-for example by capping the amount of credit that can carried over into the following week. The Home Office also has access to data that can be used to analyse transaction histories for each card holder.

Asylum: Finance

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the value to organisations certified for receiving payment with Azure Payment Cards of receiving payments made through that scheme; and if he will take steps to increase the number of retailers participating in the scheme.

Mark Harper: There are no plans to estimate the value to retailers of participating in the Azure Card scheme. It is difficult to envisage how such an estimate would be made.
	The Azure Card is already accepted by Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's, Morrison's, the Co-operative, Boots, Peacocks, The British Red Cross, The Salvation Army and a few small independent retailers.
	There are ongoing discussions with other retail outlets who may be interested in joining the scheme.

Counter-terrorism

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the answer of 19 November 2012, Official Report, column 244W, on counter-terrorism, which local authority areas have received funding under the Prevent agenda; and how much funding each such area has received in each of the last five years.

James Brokenshire: holding answer 9 December 2013
	The information requested is as follows:
	In 2009-10 £16.549 million was spent on 81 local authorities delivering Prevent work.
	In 2010-11 £17.080 million was spent on 93 local authorities delivering Prevent work.
	In 2011-12 £1.180 million was spent on 23 local authorities delivering Prevent work.
	In 2012-13 £3.512 million was spent on 28 local authorities delivering Prevent work.
	In 2013-14 £1.687 million has been spent on 30 local authorities delivering Prevent work to date this year.
	The change from 2011-12 reflects the reforms this Government has made to Prevent. Previously, funding was allocated on the basis of Muslim population; now, it is based on an assessment of the risk of radicalisation in specific areas. There is also wider working with partners to deliver Prevent, including social services, policing, children's and youth services, local prisons, higher and further education, probation services, schools and health.
	The following lists outline spend by individual local authority over the past five years. We do not break the figures down by area for reasons of national security.
	Local authority Prevent spend by area 2009-10 to 2013-14
	2009-10
	Manchester
	Blackburn and Darwen
	Oldham
	Rochdale
	Bolton
	Pendle
	Preston
	Trafford
	Bury
	Liverpool
	Burnley
	Hyndburn
	Tameside
	Stockport
	Newcastle City Council
	Middlesbrough Borough Council
	Bradford
	Kirklees
	Sheffield Council
	Leeds City Council
	Calderdale
	Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
	Birmingham City Council
	Walsall Council
	Wolverhampton City Council
	Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
	Coventry Council
	Stoke-on-Trent City Council
	Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council
	East Staffordshire Borough Council
	Leicester City Council
	Nottingham City Council
	Derby City Council
	Northampton Borough Council
	Bristol City Council
	Slough Borough Council
	Wycombe District Council
	Aylesbury Vale Council
	Crawley Borough Council
	Portsmouth Council
	Brighton and Hove City Council
	Southampton City Council
	Reading UA
	Oxford City Council
	Milton Keynes Council
	Woking Borough Council
	Luton Borough Council
	Peterborough City Council
	Watford Borough Council
	Bedford Borough Council
	St Albans District Council
	Cambridge City Council
	London Borough of Tower Hamlets
	London Borough of Newham
	London Borough of Waltham Forest
	London Borough of Brent
	London Borough of Ealing
	London Borough of Redbridge
	London Borough of Hackney
	London Borough of Enfield
	London Borough of Haringey
	London Borough of Camden
	London Borough of Hounslow
	London Borough of Barnet
	London Borough of Southwark
	London Borough of Harrow
	London Borough of Lambeth
	London Borough of Islington
	London Borough of Lewisham
	London Borough of Hillingdon
	London Borough of Merton
	London Borough of Greenwich
	London Borough of Kingston upon Thames
	London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
	London Borough of Wandsworth
	Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
	London Borough of Bromley
	London Borough of Bexley
	London Borough of Sutton
	London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
	City of Westminster
	London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
	London Borough of Croydon
	2010-11
	Manchester
	Blackburn and Darwen
	Oldham
	Rochdale
	Bolton
	Pendle
	Preston
	Trafford
	Bury
	Liverpool
	Burnley
	Hyndburn
	Tameside
	Stockport
	Salford
	Newcastle City Council
	Middlesbrough Borough Council
	Stockton on Tees
	Sunderland
	Bradford
	Kirklees
	Sheffield Council
	Leeds City Council
	Kingston upon Hull; City of UA
	Calderdale
	Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
	Wakefield City Council
	Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council
	Birmingham City Council
	Walsall Council
	Wolverhampton City Council
	Telford and Wrekin Council
	Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
	Coventry Council
	Stoke-on-Trent City Council
	Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council
	East Staffordshire Borough Council
	Leicester City Council
	Nottingham City Council
	Derby City Council
	Northampton Borough Council
	Charnwood Borough Council
	Bristol City Council
	Gloucester City Council
	Slough Borough Council
	Wycombe District Council
	Aylesbury Vale Council
	Crawley Borough Council
	Portsmouth Council
	Brighton and Hove City Council
	Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
	Medway Council
	Southampton City Council
	Reading UA
	Oxford City Council
	Milton Keynes Council
	Woking Borough Council
	Luton Borough Council
	Peterborough City Council
	Watford Borough Council
	Bedford Borough Council
	St Albans District Council
	Cambridge City Council
	London Borough of Tower Hamlets
	London Borough of Newham
	London Borough of Waltham Forest
	London Borough of Brent
	London Borough of Ealing
	London Borough of Redbridge
	London Borough of Hackney
	London Borough of Enfield
	London Borough of Haringey
	London Borough of Camden
	London Borough of Hounslow
	London Borough of Barnet
	London Borough of Southwark
	London Borough of Harrow
	London Borough of Lambeth
	London Borough of Islington
	London Borough of Lewisham
	London Borough of Hillingdon
	London Borough of Merton
	London Borough of Greenwich
	London Borough of Kingston upon Thames
	London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
	London Borough of Wandsworth
	Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
	London Borough of Bromley
	London Borough of Bexley
	London Borough of Sutton
	London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
	City of Westminster
	London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
	London Borough of Croydon
	2011-12
	Manchester
	Blackburn and Darwen
	Bradford
	Leeds City Council
	Birmingham City Council
	Stoke-on-Trent City Council
	Derby City Council
	Luton Borough Council
	London Borough of Tower Hamlets
	London Borough of Newham
	London Borough of Waltham Forest
	London Borough of Brent
	London Borough of Ealing
	London Borough of Redbridge
	London Borough of Hackney
	London Borough of Haringey
	London Borough of Camden
	London Borough of Lambeth
	London Borough of Lewisham
	London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
	London Borough of Wandsworth
	City of Westminster
	London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
	2012-13
	Manchester
	Blackburn and Darwen
	Cardiff
	Liverpool
	Bradford
	Leeds City Council
	Birmingham City Council
	Stoke-on-Trent City Council
	Leicester City Council
	Derby City Council
	Luton Borough Council
	London Borough of Tower Hamlets
	London Borough of Newham
	London Borough of Waltham Forest
	London Borough of Brent
	London Borough of Ealing
	London Borough of Redbridge
	London Borough of Hackney
	London Borough of Haringey
	London Borough of Camden
	London Borough of Lambeth
	London Borough of Lewisham
	London Borough of Greenwich
	London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
	London Borough of Wandsworth
	Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
	City of Westminster
	London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
	London Borough of Hounslow
	2013-14
	Manchester
	Blackburn and Darwen
	Cardiff
	Liverpool
	Bradford
	Leeds City Council
	Birmingham City Council
	Stoke-on-Trent City Council
	Leicester City Council
	Derby City Council
	Wycombe District Council
	Luton Borough Council
	London Borough of Tower Hamlets
	London Borough of Newham
	London Borough of Waltham Forest
	London Borough of Brent
	London Borough of Ealing
	London Borough of Redbridge
	London Borough of Hackney
	London Borough of Enfield
	London Borough of Haringey
	London Borough of Camden
	London Borough of Lambeth
	London Borough of Islington
	London Borough of Lewisham
	London Borough of Greenwich
	London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
	London Borough of Wandsworth
	Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
	City of Westminster
	London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.

Deportation

Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign nationals were deported from (a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) England in each of the last three years.

Mark Harper: holding answer 12 December 2013
	The Home Office publishes data on removals and voluntary departures on a quarterly basis and annual basis. Although these figures are not disaggregated by constituent country, they do provide the requested data on a national level.
	The latest publication provides quarterly data from January 2004 to September 2013 and can be found in the Library of the House and on the following website:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tables-for-immigration-statistics-july-to-september-2013
	The next release is scheduled for 27 February 2014 and will include data covering the period from October to December 2013.

Directors

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many of her Department's (a) executive and (b) non-executive board members are (i) men and (ii) women;
	(2)  how many of her Department's (a) executive and (b) non-executive board members are identified as (i) white British and (ii) of black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups.

James Brokenshire: As at 31 March 2013 the (a) executive board members of the Home Office Supervisory Board were (i) 11 men and (ii) two women, and (b) non-executive board members were (i) two men and (ii) one woman.
	As at 31 March 2013 the (a) executive board members of the Home Office Supervisory Board were (i) 60% white British and (ii) 0% Black or Minority Ethnic (we do not know the ethnicity of 40% of board members). (b) The ethnicity of non-executive board members is not collected.

Drugs: Smuggling

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been detained following detection by sniffer dogs on more than one occasion at the ports of (a) Calais, (b) Dunkirk and (c) Channel Tunnel in each of the last three years.

Mark Harper: To ensure the integrity and security of the UK border Her Majesty's Government cannot comment on port specific statistics.

Entry Clearances

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to improve the tourist visa application process.

Mark Harper: UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is committed to developing our services to improve convenience and choice for visitors to the UK while protecting our security. We exceed our target of processing 90% of visitor visas within 15 working days with a global average of around eight days for 2012-13. Over the past 12 months we have introduced a number of new services for the tourist market, including expanding and improving the network of visa application centres with 12 in each of India and China alone.
	We have simplified processes by introducing online applications and booking systems and in November we upgraded our online application form to provide guidance on the application questions in 18 languages, including Chinese, Russian and Arabic. For customers who would like a faster decision, UKVI offers a priority (three to five day) visa service in over 60 countries.
	In China, we are testing a process allowing selected travel agents to make off-line applications for tour groups using the same form they use for a Schengen visa (plus a short two page addendum form). A passport pass-back service is also available to customers in China, Russia and Southern India who wish to retain their passport to travel or to apply for a visa to another country while their UK visa is being processed.

Entry Clearances

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to refine the working visa application process.

Mark Harper: UK Visas and Immigration has done much to improve the flexibility and choice provided to our customers applying to work in the UK. We offer a range of premium services, including our three to five day priority visa service which is now available in over 60 countries and will be expanded to over 90 by next spring. Our same-day service in India is also available to business visitors and will be expanded to China next summer. We also offer VIP mobile enrolment in China and the US, allowing senior executives to submit their applications and biometric information at their place of work.
	We also offer support to businesses in the UK wishing to sponsor an overseas worker, including the new business helpdesk which provides a single point of contact for their immigration queries. Employers may also opt for Premium Customer Service, offering personalised account management and a priority service on post-licence casework.

Human Trafficking

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when a national referral mechanism decision is made about whether a person is a victim of trafficking, who is responsible for informing the first responder or other relevant professional of that decision.

James Brokenshire: When a decision is made about whether a person is a victim of trafficking under the National Referral Mechanism, the Competent Authority making the decision is responsible for informing the First Responder or other relevant professionals of that decision.
	Under the current arrangements, this is (i) the National Crime Agency's UK Human Trafficking Centre where the person is either a UK or EEA national, or where there are no active immigration issues, and or (ii) the Home Office where trafficking is raised as part of an asylum claim or in the context of another immigration process.
	We will be reviewing the operation of the National Referral Mechanism.

Human Trafficking

Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to tackle slavery in the UK.

James Brokenshire: holding answer 10 December 2013
	The Secretary of State for the Home Department has announced her intention to introduce a Modern Slavery Bill to: consolidate the existing offences; strengthen the law enforcement response to increase investigations, prosecutions and convictions; restrict the activities of those who are convicted of a human trafficking offence to prevent them from participating in further trafficking related activity; and strengthen our oversight mechanism to co-ordinate and improve efforts to tackle trafficking at a national, regional and local level.
	We intend to publish a draft Bill for pre legislative scrutiny before Christmas.

Human Trafficking

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to create a durable solution under article 16.2 of the European Directive on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and Protecting its Victims; and if she will bring forward legislative proposals to enshrine this commitment in statute.

James Brokenshire: The Children Act 1989 places specific duties on local authorities. This includes those who become looked-after children within the care system, including trafficked children.
	The 1989 Act explicitly identifies the need for children to have safe accommodation and access to education, and requires local authorities to give due consideration to the child’s wishes and feelings in providing services to them. The Department for Education is considering options to improve support arrangements for looked-after children who are victims of trafficking, including strengthening statutory regulations and guidance. We will continue to work within Government and with local areas to ensure these arrangements provide robust safeguards and the support needed for child trafficking victims.

Illegal Immigrants

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many illegal entrants to the UK have been detected by sniffer dogs in the (a) port of Calais, (b) port of Dunkirk and (c) Channel Tunnel in each of the last three years.

Mark Harper: holding answer 12 December 2013
	To ensure the integrity and security of the UK border Her Majesty's Government cannot comment on port specific statistics.

Immigrants

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many illegal immigrants have been forcibly removed from (a) the UK, (b) Greater London and (c) Hendon constituency in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many illegal immigrants have been voluntarily removed from (a) the UK, (b) Greater London (c) Hendon constituency in each of the last five years.

Mark Harper: Not all the information requested is available as it is not possible to extract accurate postcode information from the Case Information Database which records individual addresses.
	Details of national enforced removals and voluntary departures are shown in Table A.
	Voluntary departures remain the most cost-effective way of removing illegal immigrants.
	
		
			 Table A: Published quarterly stats on enforced removals and voluntary departures 
			 Number 
			 Quarters (year) Enforced removals Voluntary departures 
			 Q1 2009 3,911 4,774 
			 Q2 2009 3,580 5,318 
			 Q3 2009 3,947 6,008 
			 Q4 2009 3,814 6,700 
			 Q1 2010 3,851 7,255 
			 Q2 2010 3,492 6,932 
			 Q3 2010 3,809 6,722 
			 Q4 2010 3,702 6,205 
			 Q1 2011 3,964 6,981 
			 Q2 2011 3,456 5,156 
			 Q3 2011 3,664 6,583 
			 Q4 2011 3,979 7,699 
			 Q1 2012 3,756 7,726 
			 Q2 2012 3,711 7,226 
			 Q3 2012 3,539 7,099 
			 Q4 2012 3,641 7,612 
			 Q1 2013 3,392 7,946 
			 Q2 2013 3,490 7,882 
			 Q3 2013 3,010 6,744

Immigrants: Detainees

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to paragraph 55.10.1 of her Department's Enforcement Instructions and Guidance, what information is used in decisions on transfers from the prison estate to immigration removal centres for time-served foreign national offenders based on the length of time an individual has been held in prison solely under immigration powers.

Mark Harper: Time served foreign national offenders are risk assessed for suitability to transfer into the immigration estate shortly after completion of their sentence. Case specific data will be considered to inform the result of the assessment which will include nature of the offence, length of sentence, custodial behaviour and current state of health. Based on the outcome a decision will be made on the suitability to transfer which will consider the risk of harm an individual may pose to the public, the order of an immigration removal centre, including the safety of staff or other detainees. If an individual is deemed suitable for a transfer this will take place as soon as possible when there is bed space in a facility that is able to manage a detainee’s particular needs.

Immigration

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether her Department has assessed the Immigration Bill for compatibility with section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009.

Mark Harper: Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 concerns the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. The Government has taken into account the best interests of children in its consideration of the compatibility of the Immigration Bill with the Human Rights Act 1998, reflected in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) memorandum, which has been deposited in the House Library. The memorandum considers, in particular, the Bill's compatibility with Article 8 of the Convention. The Supreme Court confirmed in its judgment in ZH (Tanzania) that the child's best interests are an integral part of the Article 8 assessment and not something apart from it.

Immigration: Appeals

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vouchers her Department has provided to her Department's presenting officers for winning cases at immigration tribunals; what the (a) value and (b) store was of each such voucher; and whether these officers face penalties for losing cases.

Mark Harper: holding answer 27 November 2013
	No vouchers have ever been issued to presenting officers purely for winning cases at the immigration tribunals.
	Since July 2012, 11 vouchers have been issued to presenting officers as a one-off recognition of individual performance at court. However, presenting officers' performance is assessed equally by reference to other relevant factors that include the quality of preparation and advocacy.
	The vouchers in question are valued at £25 each, and can be redeemed in a range of outlets. The total cost of these awards is thus £275.
	Presenting officers' performance is managed in accordance with the same performance management policy that applies to all Home Office staff. Where an officer's overall performance is judged to be unsatisfactory, the Home Office's poor performance procedure may be instigated.

Internet: Children

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions her Department has had with social media sites on protecting children online.

Edward Vaizey: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
	DCMS Ministers and officials regularly discuss the issue of protecting children online with representatives from social media companies, including through the UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS).
	It is the intention that Ministers will host a roundtable, early in the new year, with social media companies to examine whether more can be done to protect children using social media.

Interpol

Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what safeguarding measures are in place to prevent British nationals from being arrested on the basis of a politically-motivated or otherwise abusive Interpol Red Notice; and whether additional measures are in place for such warrants received from countries with a poor record of human rights;
	(2)  what her Department's policy is on the response of UK authorities when they encounter a person subject to an Interpol Red Notice;
	(3)  what estimate she has made of the amount of police time spent implementing Interpol Red Notices in the UK in each of the last five years;
	(4)  what the policy of (a) the UK and (b) other EU member states is on deleting information received from Interpol once a Red Notice has been removed from Interpol's systems.

James Brokenshire: Following the cancellation of an Interpol Red Notice the data will be removed from Interpol systems centrally and will no longer be visible to National Central Bureaux. The UK Interpol National Central Bureau, which is situated within the National Crime Agency, removes all markers on UK systems which could lead to the arrest or detention of an individual and informs the relevant authorities of the cancellation. A record of the cancellation is retained. The Government cannot comment in respect of other EU member states.
	An assessment of the amount of police time spent implementing Interpol Red Notices in the last five years can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	An Interpol Red Notice has no legal status in the UK and does not necessarily result in the arrest of an individual. However, it can be used to inform warrants in urgent matters and where a Red Notice was from a state that was designated for the purposes of extradition under Part 1 or 2 of the Extradition Act 2003, it would be open to the police to treat it, where appropriate, as a request for detention with a view to extradition from the UK.
	Article 3 of Interpol's Constitution stipulates that the principle of neutrality forbids it from engaging in matters of politically motivated Red Notices and this applies to all member countries. If individuals are concerned that a Red Notice has been issued against them that is politically motivated or otherwise not in accordance with the Interpol constitution, they or their legal representatives can refer the matter to the Interpol Commission for the Control of Files (CCF), which is an independent arbiter who has the power to order the removal of Notices and Diffusions from the Interpol website.

Ministers

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent on ministerial salaries in the last year for which figures are available.

James Brokenshire: Ministerial remuneration is reported each year in the Home Office Annual Report & Accounts.
	For the last year for which figures are available (2012-13) £324,664 was spent on ministerial salaries.

Overseas Students: Northern Ireland

Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are in place for overseas students with a visa to study in Northern Ireland who arrive in the Republic of Ireland before making onward travel to their academic institutions.

Mark Harper: holding answer 12 December 2013
	Any person wishing to follow a course of approved study for longer than six months is required to obtain a visa before entering the UK. The Immigration (Control of entry through the Republic of Ireland) Order 1972 (as amended) provides that, having lawfully entered the Common Travel Area via the Republic of Ireland, on entry to the UK the terms of that visa are deemed to apply.

Police Federation of England and Wales

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if she will publish the accounts of the Police Federation from 2003 to 2013;
	(2)  whether police officers are required to be members of the Police Federation;
	(3)  whether the Police Federation is funded by her Department;
	(4)  whether police officers acting as an officer of the Police Federation are given paid time off to undertake their duties as Federation officers.

Damian Green: The Police Federation is an independent organisation. Its accounts are made and audited independently of the Home Office and Government Ministers.
	Under the Police Federation Regulations 1969, every police officer below the rank of superintendent is required to be a member of the Police Federation. However, officers may elect not to pay subscription fees to the Police Federation.
	The Home Office provides funding to the Police Federation to subsidise the salaries of the chairman, general secretary and treasurer and to fund the travel and subsistence expenses for those officers to attend statutory meetings set out in the Police Regulations 2003.
	The Home Office also provides funding to the Police Federation on behalf of the staff side of the Police Negotiating Board which is used for attendance of Federation representatives and other members of the staff side at Police Negotiating Board meetings.
	Under Regulation 23 of the Police Regulations 2003, Police Federation Representatives' attendance at specified formal meetings can take place during paid duty time. Aside from the meetings specified in Regulation 23, it is for each force to agree arrangements with the local branch of the Police Federation for how much paid duty time can be used to carry out Police Federation activities.

Poverty

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times the word 'poverty' has been mentioned in her Department's parliamentary answers in Session (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13.

Mark Harper: The Home Department has used the word ‘poverty' twice in the 2011-12 Session and once during the 2012-13 Session, when answering written and oral questions.
	This answer was drawn from management information; it is provisional and subject to change.

Rape

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of cases of rape reported to the police relate to rapes which occurred over (a) five and (b) 10 years ago.

Norman Baker: As part of this Government's ongoing commitment to reduce administrative burdens on the police, the Home Office is developing a Data Hub, which makes it easier for police forces to supply data directly from their systems to the Home Office for subsequent collation and analysis. Thirteen police forces are now live on the Data Hub, with the remainder anticipated to go live during 2014.
	Data accessed via the Data Hub suggests that of the rapes recorded in the year to June 2013 by the 13 police forces currently live, 26% occurred over five years ago and 20% occurred over 10 years ago. The data accessed by the Data Hub is a live dataset and is therefore subject to change.

Telephone Services

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many calls were made to her Department's hotline as part of the campaign to increase voluntary returns; and how many of those calls directly resulted in individuals voluntarily leaving the country.

Mark Harper: holding answer 13 September 2013
	A total of 92 calls and 1,561 text messages were received on the Department's hotline as a result of the Operation Vaken pilot in summer 2013.
	As of 22 October 2013, 60 individuals that had contacted the Department through the hotline had departed voluntarily. A further 65 individuals are being processed for a voluntary departure.
	An evaluation of the pilot has been published at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/operation-vaken-evaluation-report

UK Border Agency

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Border Force staff were made redundant and what the cost to the public purse was in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12.

Mark Harper: No employees have left Border Force on compulsory redundancy during financial years 2010-11 and 2011-12.

UK Border Agency

Michael Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the UK Border Agency intends to publish a service protocol on its website giving information on (a) what visa applicants might expect for their administration fee and (b) who applicants can contact for updates on the progress of their visa application.

Mark Harper: We are currently reviewing the service standards offered to customers of UK visas and immigration.
	Customers can expect that their application will be dealt with fairly and in line with the Immigration Rules and published procedures. Our fees are required to cover the costs of processing their application including the collection of their biometric information. We also charge fees to ensure that we raise the money we need to run a strong, robust immigration system and to offer a world-class level of service. We set our fees at levels that are fair to our customers and reflect the benefits they would receive if the visa is issued.
	When setting fee levels, we work within strict financial limits agreed with HM Treasury and the UK Parliament.
	Overseas customers wishing to obtain updates on their visa applications are advised to consult the Home Office website at:
	www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk
	Specific guidance including status checking facilities is available on the country specific pages which detail where this service is offered via our commercial partners.
	Where the tracking system is not available, and where processing is outside the published service standards, customers can contact the visa section via the commercial partner to request an update.

WALES

Programme for International Student Assessment

Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the performance of Wales in the recent PISA rankings.

David Jones: The PISA results in Wales are very disappointing and highlight the scale of the challenge that Wales faces to ensure our young people are equipped with the tools they need to shine in a global market.
	Education is a devolved matter and the responsibility of the Welsh Government. It is clear that much more must be done if children in Wales are to be afforded the same educational advantages that we are determined to deliver for children in England.

Trawsfynydd Power Station

Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had on the future of the Trawsfynydd nuclear site.

Stephen Crabb: The Secretary of State for Wales, my right hon. Friend the Member for Clwyd West (Mr Jones), and I have had a number of discussions on the future of the Trawsfynydd site, including with the Nuclear Decommissioning Agency (NDA), the local authority and the chair of the Snowdonia Enterprise Zone Board.
	The NDA’s 2011 strategy includes a plan to accelerate the decommissioning of the Trawsfynydd nuclear site so that it enters the care and maintenance phase by the end of 2016.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many meetings she has held with the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission since assuming office.

Theresa Villiers: I met the then Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission on the 19 November 2012, and on the 24 October 2013. The Minister of State (who met the Commission on the 6 November 2013), my officials and I continue to keep in close contact with the Commission.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

Food Banks: East Midlands

Gloria De Piero: To ask the right hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, how many food banks are supported by the Church of England in (a) Ashfield constituency and (b) the East Midlands.

Tony Baldry: I understand that there are currently three food banks in the Ashfield constituency. Two are based at Church of England churches: St Mary's in Sutton and St John's in Kirkby Woodhouse, with the third based at the Eastwood Volunteer Bureau and is supported by donations of food and money from local churches. In addition, there are plans by St Thomas' to open another food bank in the centre of Kirkby.
	There are no data currently held on the number of Church of England-supported food banks in the east midlands. However, according to a recent national survey by Church Urban Fund:
	81% of Anglican parishes support food banks in one or more ways: 75% collect food, 38% provide volunteers, 29% help to manage a food bank, and 21% help to distribute vouchers.
	Of those that help to manage a food bank, just over half are Trussell Trust food banks, a third are non-branded food banks, and the remainder are organised ‘food cupboards’.
	Nearly two-thirds of these food banks have been running for less than two years, indicating the rapid growth of the food bank network in recent years. These findings are based on 466 responses from Church of England incumbent clergy.
	The Church of England has just started a one-year joint research project with Oxfam and CPAG to understand, and thereby seek to reduce, the long-term need for food banks in the UK, based on detailed data collection and in-depth interviews with food bank users at six food banks across the country.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Afghanistan

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking in partnership with the Government of Afghanistan to (a) ensure that violent crimes committed against women and girls do not go uninvestigated or unpunished and (b) safeguard women's rights following withdrawal of coalition forces.

Justine Greening: I recently announced £3 million funding to support Afghan women's access to justice and provide training for those working in the formal and community-based justice sectors. This support also includes outreach work with male religious leaders, educators and Afghan women working to improve public awareness of these issues.
	The UK Government works with the Afghan Government to deliver the reforms set out in the Tokyo Mutual Accountability Framework. This includes a commitment to safeguard women's rights and to implement the Elimination of Violence Against Women Law in Afghanistan. Earlier this year the international community delivered a clear message that existing levels of aid will be put at risk if the Afghan Government fails to take forward these reform commitments.

Afghanistan

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will consider increasing funding to provide additional shelters for female victims of violence in Afghanistan.

Justine Greening: Eliminating violence against women and girls is a priority for DFID's programme in Afghanistan. We continue to look at what more we can do to protect women and girls.

Afghanistan

Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding the Government has allocated to recruit, retain and promote female police officers in Afghanistan.

Justine Greening: DFID provides a range of strategic support to the Afghan Interior Ministry, including new work which is designed to help promote the role of women in policing as well as helping the police to fulfil their commitments to protect women from violence. The UK also supports women police officers to participate in the officer development courses run by the Ministry of Interior's staff college.

Afghanistan

Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding the UK has provided to the Afghan Police Ombudsman's office; and what steps she has taken to ensure women can access an independent and effective police complaints mechanism in Afghanistan.

Justine Greening: The UK contributes to the EU's Policing Mission in Afghanistan, which provides support to the Office of the Police Ombudsman.
	DFID's assistance to the Afghan Interior Ministry supports the development of policy on promoting human rights and protecting women from violence.

Africa

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to promote science skills, research and understanding in Africa.

Lynne Featherstone: DFID is committed to building the science skills, research and understanding in the developing world. The recent 2012 House of Commons Science and Technology Committee report on Building Scientific Capacity for Development outlines the HMG position.
	Most of the research funded directly by the Department for International Development in Africa includes objectives for research capacity building and research uptake. In addition, there are 11 programmes in Africa that are specifically designed to strengthen science skills, research and understanding. An example is the DFID-Royal Society Capacity Building Africa Initiative which will build the knowledge' base, skill capacity and capability of African scientists in the areas of soil research, energy and water.
	Details of this initiative and the others in Africa funded by DFID can be found on the DFID external website under Research4Develoment.

Belarus

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs about European Union aid to Belarus.

Justine Greening: I have regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) about a wide range of policy issues.

Central African Republic

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the threat presented by the conflict in the Central African Republic to humanitarian efforts in that country; and what aid the Government is providing to humanitarian organisations operating in that country.

Lynne Featherstone: The humanitarian situation in Central African Republic is deeply worrying. The UN estimates that the whole population has been affected by the conflict and that 2 million people are in immediate need of humanitarian assistance. The situation is complex and rapidly evolving, with security concerns making access for humanitarian agencies extremely difficult. Recent fighting in Bangui has compounded problems in the capital, and security constraints continue to hamper efforts to assess the extent of humanitarian needs elsewhere.
	On 30 November the UK announced a further £10 million support package to help those worst affected by the humanitarian crisis. The ongoing fighting and risk of harvest failure is likely to create a severe food crisis in the coming months, and UK support will allow the Red Cross, UN and international aid agencies to dramatically step up their relief programmes, providing emergency healthcare, clean water and logistical support to hundreds of thousands of people. This support is in addition to the £5 million funding that the UK announced on 31 July.

Central African Republic

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the Secretaries of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and for Defence about the situation in the Central African Republic.

Justine Greening: I meet regularly with the Secretaries of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and for Defence to discuss a range of issues.

Developing Countries: Females

Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she has taken to halt the informalisation of labour market opportunities for women in developing countries.

Justine Greening: My Department is tackling the causes of women's economic marginalisation in order to raise incomes and create more productive employment opportunities whether in formal or informal contexts. Our work ranges from improving the conditions for women working in vulnerable conditions to interventions to strengthen women's economic empowerment and assets wherever they work.

Ghana

Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to ensure that the commitment to distribute 4.5 million mosquito nets in Ghana by 2015 is reached.

Lynne Featherstone: DFID provided 4.35 million nets in 2011 and 2012 in support of the Government of Ghana's campaign to provide nets to every household in Ghana. This meant UK Aid provided malaria protection to over one-third of the population under this universal coverage campaign.
	In October this year, I agreed new assistance for tackling malaria in Ghana. This includes providing an additional 1.3 million nets by 2015. Of this total, 1.1 million nets are being procured now and will be provided free of charge to pregnant women and children under five years of age, as the people most at risk of dying from malaria. The project will also work with local retailers to stock and sell nets at subsidised rates so that people begin to contribute to providing their own nets in the future. We anticipate that an additional one million nets will be deployed in this way.

Philippines

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate she has made of the number of people in the Philippines who are in need of relief but are yet to receive any official aid.

Justine Greening: We are working with UN agencies to assess needs throughout the affected areas so we can reach remote communities.

Philippines

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support her Department is providing to those rice farmers in the Philippines who require seeds and tools following Typhoon Haiyan.

Justine Greening: The UK has provided £4 million towards re-establishing livelihoods and agriculture following Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. This will support agriculture with the purchase and distribution of seeds and fertiliser as well as cash for work to help families and communities rebuild their lives.

Philippines

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the spread of water-borne diseases in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan.

Justine Greening: We are working with the Philippines and international agencies to prepare for outbreaks of water-borne diseases.
	This includes £300,000 to help International Health Partners (IHP) support the Philippines Department of Health to deliver and store drugs in badly affected areas. The UK has also provided £2 million to WHO for the re-establishment of essential health care services, disease surveillance and early warning systems for disease outbreaks. Two public health experts have been seconded from the NHS to help advise and support the Philippines Department of Health. In addition funds and supplies worth £2.5 million have been delivered to UNICEF to provide affected populations with clean water, sanitation and soap.

Philippines

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with her international counterparts on donations to the UN appeal following the Bohol earthquake.

Justine Greening: I regularly speak with my international counterparts regarding humanitarian emergencies around the world.

Philippines

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with (a) her international counterparts, (b) non-governmental organisations and (c) the Philippine Government about increasing investment in disaster risk reduction within the Philippines.

Justine Greening: I have discussed the importance of improving disaster resilience in the Philippines with the United Nations, other donors and non-governmental organisations, and Philippines Government.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Carbon Sequestration

Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much his Department has budgeted to spend on research into (a) carbon capture and storage and (b) carbon capture and use in the next five years.

Michael Fallon: The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) together with the Technology Strategy Board (TSB), Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) and Research Councils, is delivering a four-year £125 million CCS research, development and innovation programme.
	In total, around 100 separate projects are being funded through this programme, with further details available on our website:
	https://www.gov.uk/uk-carbon-capture-and-storage-government-funding-and-support#ccs-research-and-development
	In addition, DECC and BIS are joint funding a techno-economic study into industrial carbon capture and storage, with approximately £100,000 from each Department set aside in the 2013-14 budget.

Energy: Prices

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what work his Department has undertaken on assessing any link between energy prices and excess winter deaths.

Gregory Barker: We are not aware of any research undertaken to assess the link between energy prices and excess winter deaths.
	The Department commissioned Professor Sir John Hills to conduct a review of fuel poverty in 2011-12. His interim report provides a useful overview of the evidence on excess winter deaths:
	http://sticerd.lse.ac.uk/dps/case/cr/CASEreport69.pdf
	In addition, the Office for National Statistics publishes information about excess winter deaths each year. The November 2013 publication is clear that the factors underlying excess winter deaths are various, with the relationship between temperature, influenza and winter mortality being highly complex:
	http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171778_337459.pdf

Energy: Prices

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what requirements there are on energy companies to offer the same range of energy tariffs throughout the UK.

Michael Fallon: Northern Ireland has a separate energy market which is governed by separate licence conditions enforced by a separate regulator. There are no requirements on energy companies to offer the same range of energy tariffs across the GB and NI energy markets.
	Within the market in Great Britain, Ofgem is creating a clearer and simpler market for consumers by restricting energy suppliers to offering only four tariffs per fuel type to a consumer. Suppliers are permitted to vary their tariffs across regions.

Energy: Prices

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the Statement of 2 December 2013, Official Report, column 630, on energy bills, if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's assessment of the energy freeze proposal.

Michael Fallon: No.

European Marine Energy Centre

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much funding his Department has provided to the European Marine Energy Centre in each year since 2003.

Gregory Barker: The Department of Energy and Climate Change has provided a total of £9.5 million capital grant funding to the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC). £1.5 million was provided towards the initial development of the site in 2003 to 2006 by the then Department of Trade and Industry. A further £8 million was awarded in 2010-11 towards expansion to create four nursery berths as well as additional grid connected berths for both wave and tidal technologies.

Food Banks

Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change which food banks each Minister in his Department has visited since May 2010.

Gregory Barker: All meetings between external organisations and DECC Ministers are published on a quarterly basis on the DECC website and are available for download at this link:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/accesstoinform/registers/registers.aspx
	DECC does not maintain lists of constituency or private engagements for Ministers.

Nuclear Power

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what new resources he has made available for new nuclear research through (a) the National Nuclear Laboratory, (b) University of Manchester, (c) the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, (d) Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre and (e) the Technology Strategy Board; what projects at what value have been given support; and what the source of funding has been in each case.

Michael Fallon: Over this and the previous financial years DECC has provided:
	£6 million via the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council for the National Nuclear User Facility, which provides new equipment for shared use across a range of universities and facilities across the UK. This has included equipment for the university of Manchester, Culham Centre for Fusion Energy and the National Nuclear Laboratory.
	£1.5 million for a nuclear R&D programme managed by the NNL.
	£3 million contribution towards a Technology Strategy Board competition. This aimed to fund 36 nuclear R&D projects and leverage a further £13 million of private sector investment.
	A £3 million contribution to a further nuclear R&D competition in March 2014, which will be co-funded by TSB, DECC and Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.
	The Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre is not supported via DECC funding streams.

Nuclear Power Stations

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the cost of decommissioning existing nuclear power stations in (a) the UK, (b) England, (c) Wales and (d) Scotland.

Michael Fallon: The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) is charged with assessing the nature and estimated costs of dealing with the nuclear legacy. It was set up in 2005 and is wholly publicly funded via the ‘Nuclear Liabilities Fund’ (NLF) which was formed to cover the future waste management and decommissioning costs of the British Energy (BE) nuclear estate. The NDA has robust processes in place to assess the costs and each station has its own decommissioning plan in place.
	The NDA's total spend is currently around £3 billion a year. For the majority of the NDA estate, the nuclear provision has peaked and is now decreasing. It is only at Sellafield, the largest and most complex site by considerable margin, where the scope of work remains uncertain, that the cost of decommissioning has increased. In time, NDA expects to see a similar decline in cost at Sellafield too.
	The NDA is committed to driving down clean up costs. It is doing so by utilising international contractor expertise to drive innovation in decommissioning practices and deliver efficiency savings.
	Details of decommissioning processes for each site can be found on their website:
	http://www.nda.gov.uk/sites/

Nuclear Reactors

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 28 November 2013, Official Report, column 398, on energy security, if he will make a statement on the proposals for 12 new nuclear reactors.

Michael Fallon: As set out in the Nuclear Industrial Strategy, industry has set out plans for 16GW of new nuclear by 2030:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/168048/bis-13-627-nuclear-industrial-strategy-the-uks-nuclear-future.pdf
	That broadly equates to at least 12 new reactors at five sites. Our current understanding is as follows:
	NNB GenCo (EDF) intends to build four new EPR reactors, two at Hinkley Point in Somerset and two at Sizewell in Suffolk.
	Horizon Nuclear Power, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd, plans to develop two ABWR reactors at Wylfa and at least two at Oldbury.
	NuGen, a consortium of GDF SUEZ and Iberdrola plan to build new nuclear capacity at Moorside near Sellafield (the precise number of reactors will depend on the choice of reactor design but it likely to be at least two units).
	It will be for private sector energy companies to construct, operate and decommission nuclear power stations. All projects will be rigorously assessed against the UK's planning and regulatory framework.

Offshore Industry

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the effect of marginal fuel allowances on investment in North Sea resource extraction since their introduction.

Michael Fallon: The Government believes that field allowances (described as "fuel allowances" in the question) have been successful in increasing investment in technically and commercially challenging UK oil and gas fields. We note the positive impact of the various field allowances reported by Oil & Gas UK in its October 2012 Fiscal Insight, published at:
	http://www.oilandgasuk.co.uk/cmsfiles/modules/publications/pdfs/EC033.pdf

Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the cost of administering the Renewable Heat Incentive in (a) the UK, (b) England, (c) Scotland and Wales in each year since 2010.

Gregory Barker: Ofgem delivers the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) on behalf of DECC. The budgets are agreed in a way that covers Great Britain as a whole rather than being broken down by geography. Costs for administering the RHI in Great Britain (excluding Northern Ireland, which delivers its own RHI), by year, are as follows:
	2010-11: £1,514,897;
	2011-12: £4,822,408;
	2012-13: £5,005,255; and
	2013-14: £5,431,818 (to end of October 2013), of which £1,755,131 relates to the development of the domestic RHI.

Wind Power

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the total amount paid out in the form of constraint payments to wind installations in (a) the UK, (b) England, (c) Scotland, (d) Northern Ireland and (e) Wales in each month since June 2010.

Michael Fallon: The Department has made no such estimate. Constraint payments relating to England, Scotland and Wales are made by National Grid through competitive market arrangements in order to help ensure the secure operation of the electricity system. National Grid has advised that details of most individual constraint payments to wind farms are published at www.elexon.co.uk and www.bmreports.com . and aggregated data on payments to wind farms is published in its Monthly Balancing Services Summary, which is available at:
	http://www2.nationalgrid.com/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=28139
	Energy policy in Northern Ireland is devolved to the Northern Ireland Executive. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment Northern Ireland has advised that constraint payments are a commercial matter between the Single Electricity Market Operator (SEMO) and the generator.

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Adult Education: Cannock Chase

Aidan Burley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people are enrolled in adult skills sessions in Cannock Chase constituency.

Matthew Hancock: Information on the number of adult learners (aged 19 or over) participating in further education and skills by parliamentary constituency is available in a supplementary table to a Statistical First Release; the most recent academic year for which full data are published is 2011/12:
	http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/C74D91A3-4CEE-4FD2-9A22-4307920D11A8/0/January2013_ OverallFEandSkillsParticipation.xls
	http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/Statistics/fe_data_library/further_education_skills/

Apprentices: Greater London

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people under 21 (a) started and (b) completed an apprenticeship in each of the 33 London local authorities in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011, (iii) 2012 and (iv) 2013 to date.

Matthew Hancock: Information on the number of apprenticeship starts and achievements in the 2009/10 to 2012/13 academic years for the under 21 age group in London local education authorities will be placed in the Libraries of the House.
	Provisional data for the first three months of the 2013/14 academic year will be published in January 2014 in a Statistical First Release:
	http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_current/

Business: Finance

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions he has had with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) on the potential effect of new crowdfunding regulations set out in the FCA's consultation paper 13/13, published in October 2013, on SME finance.

Matthew Hancock: I met Martin Wheatley, the chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), on 5 December 2013 to discuss a variety of issues including the regulation of crowdfunding. Both the FCA and the Government are keen to ensure that regulation is proportionate and allows the crowdfunding industry to continue to grow sustainably, whilst also providing an adequate level of protection for investors.

Business: Finance

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to increase the flow of capital to small and medium-sized businesses through crowdfunding and similar platforms.

Matthew Hancock: The Government has taken a number of steps to increase the availability of credit to viable small and medium size businesses.
	The Funding for Lending Scheme has been successful in easing general credit conditions across the economy, as well as helping to hold down the cost of credit. The scheme was recently re-focused, to provide further incentives for banks to lend to businesses.
	We are establishing the British Business Bank to increase the supply of capital to smaller businesses resulting in increased competition in the banking sector from alternative lenders, like peer for peer lenders and challenger banks.
	The British Business Bank is being established with £1 billion of new capital, with another £250 million announced earlier this month for new small business programmes. By working with the private sector, the Business Bank's resources will unlock up to £10 billion of additional lending over the next five years.

Business: Finance

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he plans to extend the Business Finance Partnership.

Matthew Hancock: The Small Business Tranche of the Business Finance Partnership, the portion of the £1.2 billion Business Finance Partnership programme that was administered by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, closed for new applications in 2012. The British Business Bank’s £300 million Investment Programme is open for applications and information on this investment scheme, which is similar in nature to the Small Business Tranche of the Business Finance Partnership, can be found at:
	www.british-business-bank.co.uk

Business: Finance

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment his Department has made of the total amount of capital invested or loaned to small and medium-sized businesses through crowdfunding platforms to date; and what assessment he has made of changes in the amounts of such lending.

Matthew Hancock: Both debt and equity crowdfunding can offer useful options to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking finance. Although the market is currently small, it is growing quickly. The Department is supporting the growth of peer-to-peer lending through its £30 million Business Finance Partnerships investments in Funding Circle and Zopa.
	Crowdfunding platforms report that they have facilitated over £200 million of loans to UK SMEs, and around £20 million of equity investment.

Business: Government Assistance

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department spent on promoting Small Business Saturday in each region.

Matthew Hancock: The UK’s first Small Business Saturday, a grass-roots campaign with widespread political support, was a great success, and we look forward now to Small Business Saturday in 2014. The campaign reports 48% consumer awareness and an estimated spend of £468 million in UK small businesses this year. The Government was, like many others, a keen supporter and launched “Small Business: GREAT Ambition”—our commitment of support to small and growing firms—on the day. This Department worked closely with the campaign: raising awareness with stakeholders; using existing online channels to promote Small Business Saturday nationally; and spending around £5,000 nationally on display materials and an event for participating small businesses. There was no specific regional spend.

Business: Loans

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what representations he has received from small and medium-sized enterprises on banks in which the Government has a stake unnecessarily recalling business loans.

Matthew Hancock: This Department has received a number of representations from small and medium-sized businesses about banks unnecessarily recalling business loans. These are being forwarded to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
	The FCA announced on 29 October 2013 that it is taking steps to look at the banks' treatment of businesses in financial difficulty following recent allegations that have been made by Lawrence Tomlinson and others. First, an independent skilled person will be appointed using the FCA's powers in section 166 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 to review allegations about RBS's treatment of customers in financial distress. Second, the FCA has written to other banks seeking confirmation that they are satisfied they do not engage in any of the poor practices that have been alleged, and setting out an expectation that any poor practices identified will be addressed.

Business: Loans

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions he has had with banks in which the Government has a stake on ensuring that business loans to small and medium-sized enterprises are not unnecessarily recalled.

Matthew Hancock: BIS officials and I regularly meet with the senior management of all the major banks to discuss their support for small and medium-sized enterprises.
	While the decision to change or remove facilities is a commercial decision for banks, we regularly challenge the banks to ensure that their decision making processes are both fair and properly communicated, and that they carry out these decisions within the bounds of proper regulatory conduct.

Carbon Sequestration

Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his Department's budget is for research into (a) carbon capture and storage and (b) carbon capture and use.

Michael Fallon: The Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) funds the research councils and the Technology Strategy Board who, together with other partners—including the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) public-private partnership, are delivering the Government's £125 million Research and Development programme for carbon capture and storage and carbon capture and utilisation over four years from 2011/12.
	In addition, BIS and DECC are joint funding a techno-economic study into industrial carbon capture and storage and carbon capture and utilisation, with approximately £100,000 from each Department set aside in the 2013/14 budget.

Copyright: Design

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will take steps to ensure that the number of people proceeded against under the offence of unauthorised copying of a registered design is monitored closely; and if he will review the effectiveness of that offence two years after it has come into force.

David Willetts: Following the conclusion of the Intellectual Property Bill, to which this question refers, a suitable framework will be developed to evaluate the measures in it, including the criminal sanction for copying a registered design. The evaluation would include an assessment of the effectiveness of this measure.

Higher Education: Admissions

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many students in (a) Ribble Valley constituency, (b) Lancashire and (c) the UK were admitted to their first choice university in the latest period for which figures are available.

David Willetts: The latest information published by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) for the 2013 application cycle shows that, as at 30 August, 369,410 applicants from the UK and overseas had been accepted for entry to their preferred, or first choice, main scheme course offer, a higher number than any previous year at the same point in the cycle. In addition, a further 1,230 had obtained a place via the adjustment route, which allows applicants to adjust to a place at another institution if they exceed the conditions of their offer. UCAS have not published comparable figures at constituency or county level. Final figures for the 2013 application cycle will be published on 19 December. UCAS is an organisation independent from government.

Higher Education: Student Numbers

Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many students were registered as being in higher education in Corby constituency in each of the last five years; and what the average for all constituencies in England was in each of the last five years.

David Willetts: The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) collects and publishes data on students at UK higher education institutions (HEIs). The number of enrolments from Corby constituency and the average number of England domiciled enrolments per constituency for the academic years 2007-08 to 2011-12 have been provided in the following table.
	Information for the 2012-13 academic year will become available from the Higher Education Statistics Agency in January 2014.
	
		
			 Enrolments1 domiciled2 in Corby constituency2 and England: UK higher education institutions academic years 2007-08 to 2011-12 
			 Academic Number of enrolments from Corby Average number of enrolments 
			 2007-08 2,615 2,950 
			 2008-09 2,630 3,060 
			 2009-10 2,845 3,165 
			 2010-113 3,080 3,200 
			 2011-123 3,130 3,200 
			 1 Enrolments refers to students in all years of study. 2 Domicile and Constituency refers to a student's permanent or home address prior to entry to their course. 3 As at the 2010 United Kingdom general election on 6 May 2010, the parliamentary constituency boundaries changed. From the 2010-11 academic year these changes are reflected in the table. Note: Figures are based on a HESA standard registration population and have been rounded up or down to the nearest five, so components may not sum to totals Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Student Record

Lawrence Tomlinson

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) officials in his Department have met with Mr Lawrence Tomlinson since May 2010.

Matthew Hancock: Lawrence Tomlinson is one of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills' (BIS) two Entrepreneurs in Residence. Ministers, special advisers and officials have had regular meetings with Mr Tomlinson since his appointment in March 2013.
	Prior to this date, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills met Mr Tomlinson on a visit to his Ginetta sports car manufacturing business in Garforth on 5 July 2012. A BIS official met Mr Tomlinson at the same location on 7 February 2012.

Manufacturing Industries

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to encourage the UK production of right-hand-drive original equipment manufacturers vehicles fuelled by autogas.

Michael Fallon: In the autumn statement, 5 December 2013, Official Report, columns 1101-1113, the Government announced fuel duty incentives for cleaner fuels. The fuel duty differential between the main rate of fuel duty and the lower rate for road fuel gases such as compressed natural gas, liquid natural gas and biomethane will be maintained at current levels until March 2024. The differential between the main rate and the lower liquefied petroleum gas rate will continue to reduce by 1 ppl each year to 2024. The Government will review the impact of these incentives on vehicle uptake and the public finances at Budget 2018. The Government will also seek EU approval to apply a reduced rate of fuel duty to methanol.
	The Government is committed to ensuring the UK becomes a global centre of low carbon propulsion development and production across a range of technologies, including advanced internal combustion engines. To support this, the Automotive Industrial Strategy announced £1 billion over 10 years for an Advanced Propulsion Centre, which is co-funded with industry.

Ministers

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much was spent on ministerial salaries in the last year for which figures are available.

Jo Swinson: For 2012-13 the expenditure on ministerial salaries was £215,461.

Nuclear Power: Skilled Workers

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to increase the number of young people with the skills required to work in the nuclear industry.

Matthew Hancock: We have established the National Skills Academy for Nuclear (NSAN) as the strategic body to assist the industry in identifying and delivering its skills needs. NSAN has developed the National Nuclear Gateway to help grow the number of apprentices across the sector and is taking action across the supply chain. We are also investing through the Employer Ownership of Skills pilot in two employer led projects which are tackling specific skills issues relevant to the nuclear sector and have assisted in establishing the Energy Skills Centre at Bridgewater College in Somerset.

Overseas Trade: Females

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 28 November 2013, Official Report, column 383W, on overseas trade: females, what guidance his Department offers to UK Trade and Investment on promoting women in trade delegations and exporting.

Michael Fallon: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills does not offer guidance to UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) on promoting women in trade delegations and exporting.
	UKTI's own internal guidance is to provide all services on a non-discriminatory basis and no guidance is issued by or to UKTI in relation to the issue of promoting women in trade delegations and exporting.
	UKTI services are open and accessible to all UK-based companies wishing to grow their business overseas in order to develop their international trade capability. These services are offered to companies, rather than individuals and it is up to each company to determine who should undertake any training or attend meetings and/or trade delegations to best represent their company interests.

Post Offices

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department has taken to encourage all UK banks to allow their current account customers access at post offices.

Jo Swinson: This Government has a clear ambition that all UK current accounts are accessible through the post office network and 95% of UK high street bank current accounts are now accessible at post offices. Since 2010, Post Office Ltd has reached agreement with RBS (including NatWest) and HSBC to allow customers to access their current accounts at post office branches.
	Post Office Ltd continue to engage with the one remaining high street bank (Santander) who have yet to offer their customers this service.
	Allowing customers to access their current accounts at post offices provides choice on where and how they choose to access their current accounts, and also ensures customers in communities that no longer have a bank branch are able to conduct basic financial transactions and services at a convenient and easily accessible location.
	It is, however, a commercial matter for Santander and Post Office Ltd to reach agreement.

Post Offices

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he plans to provide full access to credit union services through the national post office network; and if he will make a statement.

Jo Swinson: The post office already works with the credit union sector in a number of ways. For example more than 20 credit unions use Co-operative Finance's banking platform for cash receipts, payments and balance inquiries at the post office. Over 60 credit unions use post office's bill payment facilities to enable repayments of their loans.
	The Department for Work and Pensions' feasibility study into credit unions is an important next step in understanding how the credit union sector could further develop, and how this might enable it to work more widely with Post Office Ltd in the future.

Public Sector Information Independent Review

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the recommendations of the Shakespeare review of public sector information, what assessment he has made of the potential effects of a National Data Strategy on data publishers in the private sector; and if he will make a statement.

David Willetts: In response to the Shakespeare review recommendation for a national data strategy, 'Seizing the data opportunity: a strategy for UK data capability' was published on 31 October 2013. It sets out actions to ensure the UK can be a world leader in extracting value and insights from data for the benefit of business and academia, the public and the private sectors. The strategy includes actions to build a pipeline of skilled people in data analytics, and a programme of activity to improve access to UK's e-infrastructure by businesses.

Royal Bank of Scotland

Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when he expects the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority to respond to his Department's referral to them of the Tomlinson Report.

Matthew Hancock: The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced on 29 October 2013 that an independent skilled person will be appointed using powers in section 166 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 to review allegations about RBS's treatment of customers in financial distress made by Lawrence Tomlinson and others. The commissioning of an independent skilled person will follow the FCA's published process pursuant to the European Procurement Directive and the Public Contracts Regulations 2006. The FCA's intention is to complete the commissioning process in January 2014. At this stage it is not possible to estimate how long it will take the skilled person to report back to the regulator.

Royal Bank of Scotland

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether Mr Lawrence Tomlinson's report on RBS was (a) seen, (b) amended and (c) approved by (i) Ministers, (ii) special advisers and (iii) officials in his Department before its publication on 25 November 2013.

Matthew Hancock: Mr Tomlinson's report on the bank’s treatment of businesses in distress was sent to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and seen by Ministers, special advisers and officials. The report was passed on in full without amendment to the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority for them to consider.
	Mr Tomlinson subsequently decided to publish an edited and amended version of the report. The editorial decisions were made by Mr Tomlinson who published the report in an individual capacity. The report was not a matter for approval by anyone within BIS.

Royal Mail

Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what criteria or conditions under contractual terms his Department will use to decide whether or not to withhold discretionary bonuses for banks and advisors involved in the Royal Mail privatisation.

Michael Fallon: The decision on the discretionary element of the underwriters' fees will take into consideration a number of factors set out in the agreement with the underwriters. These include the relevant underwriters' contribution to the efficient preparation of the Initial Public Offering (IPO) and its overall success. We will also look at their success in generating demand for the IPO alongside the quality and success of road show meetings and resulting investor feedback. In addition, we will consider the final price achieved and the aftermarket performance of the shares.

Students: Loans

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  pursuant to line (ii) of table 2.5 of the autumn statement, whether his Department has decided to sell parts of the pre-2012 income contingent repayment student loan book;
	(2)  with reference to table 2.5 of the autumn statement 2013, what estimate his Department has made of (a) gross proceeds from sale of the student loan book, (b) surrendered repayment income and (c) net proceeds arising from the sale of the student loan book.

David Willetts: The Government has confirmed its intention to realise value for the taxpayer through a sale of the pre-2012 income contingent repayment student loan book. The expectation is that loans will be sold in a number of tranches over a period of years.
	As set out in the autumn statement, 5 December 2013, Official Report, columns 1101-13, the estimate of gross proceeds over the five-year period starting in financial year 2015/16 is £10 billion to £15 billion with a central estimate of £12 billion. In table 2.5 of the autumn statement, this central estimate of gross proceeds is distributed evenly across the relevant years of the forecast period for modelling purposes.
	An estimate of overall net impact of the sales, including the impact of lower repayments resulting from loan disposals, is incorporated in the overall forecasts for the public finances produced by the Office for Budget Responsibility in the December 2013 Economic and fiscal outlook report, available at:
	http://budgetresponsibility.org.uk/economic-fiscal-outlook-december-2013/

Students: Loans

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 5 December 2013, Official Report, column 824W, on students: fees and charges, what recent estimate of non-repayment of loans he has made.

David Willetts: We currently estimate that around 35% to 40% of the value of post-2012 student loans will not be repaid.

Students: Loans

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 5 December 2013, Official Report, column 824W, on students: fees and charges, what the structural problems in the forecasting model were.

David Willetts: The structural problems in the forecasting model concern the forecasts of earnings, which the model carries out in order to estimate future repayments.
	The model predicts future earnings based on the current year's earnings only. This lack of earnings history can lead to unrealistic earnings paths being forecast.
	Further information on this can be found at the following URL:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/simplified-student-loan-repayment-model
	This is the web page for a simplified version of the student loan repayment model which was published in 2012, and which demonstrates the essential features of the larger departmental model.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afzal Amin

Sheila Gilmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 10 December 2013, Official Report, column 142W, on Afzal Amin, whether Afzal Amin is employed in any other capacity by his Department.

Hugh Robertson: In 2010 Mr Amin was attached to the political section of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Helmand Provisional Reconstruction Team in Lashkar Gah. Mr Amin was a serving military officer at that time.

Al Qaeda

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the threat from Al-Qaeda in the Arabian peninsular.

Hugh Robertson: Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQ-AP) possesses the capability to carry out attacks in Yemen, in the wider region and beyond, and has repeatedly publicly expressed its inclination to do so.
	As the FCO wrote recently in a public paper:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/256616/Oct_2013_AQ_newsletter.pdf
	AQ-AP is not the oldest AQ affiliate, but it is currently the most prominent and the most persistently threatening internationally. It has a national, regional and international agenda, and has proved capable of innovative attack methodology.
	Reducing the threat posed by violent extremists in Yemen is a priority for the Yemeni Government as it seeks to restore security and stability throughout the country. Along with our international partners, the UK remains committed to supporting Yemen to become a stable state, free from the threat of terrorism.

Burma

David Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department has commissioned an investigation into reports by Human Rights Watch that ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity have been committed against the ethnic Rohingya in Burma.

Hugo Swire: We are very concerned by the number of disturbing and specific allegations of human rights abuses in Rakhine State, some of which are backed up by comprehensive evidence.
	We have raised these concerns repeatedly at the highest levels of the Burmese Government.

Burma

David Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with Aung San Suu Kyi on visiting places in Burma where anti-Muslim violence has taken place.

Hugo Swire: The Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), and I discussed a range of issues with Aung San Suu Kyi during her most recent visit to the UK, including the situation in Rakhine State and anti-Muslim violence. Our ambassador in Rangoon also has regular discussions with her covering these issues. Aung San Suu Kyi has made clear that human rights and the rule of law must be upheld—whether in Rakhine or other areas affected by anti-Muslim violence. She has also publicly called for the Burmese citizenship law to be applied fairly to all in Rakhine State and to be reviewed in line with international standards. I myself visited Rakhine State in December 2012 and have consistently made similar points to the Burmese Government.

Central African Republic

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the conflict in the Central African Republic; and what representations he has made at the (a) EU Foreign Affairs Council and (b) UN Security Council on the issue of funding for the deployment of French troops to the Central African Republic.

Mark Simmonds: On 5 December, with strong UK support, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2127, authorising the deployment of the African-led International Support Mission to CAR (MISCA), and the deployment of French forces to respond to the security and humanitarian crisis in the CAR.
	On 6 December, in response to a request from the French Government, the UK declared it would provide three RAF C-17 flights between now and mid-December to move French equipment to the CAR.
	The EU Foreign Affairs Council is scheduled to discuss the CAR further this week, and we will continue to work with our partners in the EU to support the work of the Economic Community of Central African States and the African Union as they seek a lasting solution to CAR's instability.

Central African Republic

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made on the threat presented by the conflict in the Central African Republic to stability in the wider region.

Mark Simmonds: The Central African Republic (CAR) has impacted its neighbours through refugee flows and cross-border violence. The return of a constitutional and effective government is vital for the long-term stability of CAR and is in the best interests of the region as a whole.

Central African Republic

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to prevent forces fighting in the Central African Republic from profiting from illegal trade in diamonds, uranium or petroleum.

Mark Simmonds: UN Security Council Resolution 2127, co-sponsored by the UK, condemned the illegal exploitation of CAR's natural resources. The UN Security Council has committed to keeping the situation in CAR and the appropriateness of the measures contained in the resolution under continuous review.
	The priority of the international community is to restore basic security and ensure humanitarian assistance can be delivered to those in need. To that end, Resolution 2127 mandated the immediate deployment of French forces and the African-led Mission Internationale de Soutien à la Centrafrique (MISCA).
	The UK has provided £15 million of humanitarian support to CAR, and will continue to support the restoration of security and ensure that civilians are protected.

Human Rights

Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders, whether the Government has developed an action plan to provide support and protection to HRDs who face reprisals as a result of CHOGM.

Hugo Swire: The Government has consistently made clear to the Sri Lankan Government the importance of safeguarding freedom of expression and protecting human rights defenders.
	We have emphasised to the Sri Lankan Government that the human rights defenders, journalists and members of the public that Ministers met during the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting should not face any reprisals.
	Our high commission in Colombo is actively monitoring this situation closely post CHOGM and is already undertaking measures included in the EU guidelines such as maintaining contact with relevant institutions and individuals where they believe this support will be useful.

India

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the hunger strike of Bhai Gurbakhash Singh in India.

Hugo Swire: We are aware of the hunger strike of Bhai Gurbakhash Singh and continue to monitor the general human rights situation in India. We maintain a dialogue with the Indian Government about the protection of minority rights in India, including those of the Sikh community.

India

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on Sikh prisoners in India remaining in prison despite having completed their sentences.

Hugo Swire: We are aware of these cases and continue to monitor the general human rights situation in India. We maintain a dialogue with the Indian Government about the protection of minority rights in India, including those of the Sikh community.

Iran

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of possible sanctions against Iran for a breach of the Iran nuclear agreement.

Hugh Robertson: As part of the first step agreement, the E3+3 have agreed proportionate sanctions relief in return for a significant step from Iran on the most worrying aspects of their nuclear programme-this is clearly an important and encouraging moment. We will fulfil our part of the Joint Action Plan in good faith, and fully expect Iran to do likewise. If Iran fails to meet its commitments, all sanctions relief will be revoked and there would be renewed international pressure for as long as Iran ignored international concerns.

Nigeria

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the results were of the most recent assessment of the risk to people living in Nigeria of Boko Haram.

Mark Simmonds: Boko Haram has recently carried out fatal attacks on both civilians and security forces, including large scale attacks on Damaturu in Yobe State and Maiduguri in Borno State.
	The threat from Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in Nigeria is volatile. We therefore have to remain vigilant and monitor trends and reliable sources of information to enable HMG to make regular threat assessments. These assessments are then feed into the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) travel advice on Nigeria.
	The FCO currently advise against all travel to Borno State, Yobe State and Adamawa State which have seen the majority of recent attacks by Boko Haram. We advise those currently living in Nigeria to be vigilant and to take care at all times, particularly in areas where there are political or other large public gatherings. In recent years, many attacks have taken place around religious and public holidays and we therefore advise British citizens to be particularly vigilant during these periods.

Palestinians

David Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on Palestinian membership of the International Olive Council.

Hugh Robertson: There has been some suggestion that the UK has blocked Palestinian membership of the International Olive Council. This is inaccurate. At the November meeting of the International Olive Council the Palestinian Authority did not ask for a vote on their application for full membership of the Council.

Sovereignty: Scotland

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the possible effects of Scottish independence on the UK diplomatic network.

David Lidington: The UK Government is confident that people in Scotland will choose to remain part of a strong, successful UK and is not undertaking contingency planning for Scottish independence. In the event that the people of Scotland voted for independence, the UK's diplomatic, consular and UK trade and investment network would remain intact and continue actively to promote and protect the interests of the rest of the UK, its citizens and businesses.

Sri Lanka

Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will take steps to build with other members of the Human Rights Council a broad coalition of support for the UN to establish an independent international investigation into alleged serious violations of international human rights and the international humanitarian law in Sri Lanka before the March 2014 session of that council.

Hugo Swire: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 4 December 2013, Official Report, column 755W.

Sudan

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Sudan on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.

Mark Simmonds: We repeatedly remind the Sudanese Government, both bilaterally and through consultations at the UN Security Council, of its responsibility to protect civilians throughout Sudan. This should include refraining from taking any military action which endangers the lives of civilians, and making serious attempts to bring about an end to internal conflicts by engaging in meaningful political dialogue. We have also urged the Government to cooperate fully with the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur, to ensure that it is fully able to carry out its core mandate to protect civilians in Darfur.

Syria

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Syrian counterpart on the mass graves discovered in Sadad in Syria.

Hugh Robertson: We are trying to establish the accuracy of reports of mass graves in Sadad, including through discussion with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. However, the security situation in Syria makes it very difficult to establish the facts. We continue to fund training for Syrian activists to document abuses with the aim that this documentation could be used in a future process of accountability. We also continue to call for the situation to be referred to the International Criminal Court. We frequently call for an end to human rights violations and accountability for those who have perpetrated them.

Yemen

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance he has provided to the government of Yemen following the attack on the Defence Ministry in Sana'a on 5 December 2013.

Hugh Robertson: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), met Foreign Minister Dr Al-Qirbi in the margins of the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain on 7 December. They discussed the implications of the attack, and how the UK could best target our substantial programme of assistance to Yemen. The Government has also conveyed our sincere condolences to President Hadi, and reaffirmed our continued support to him and his government-both for Yemen's current process of political transition, and for its fight against terrorism.

TRANSPORT

A27

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what timetable his Department has set for improvements to the A27 corridor between Worthing and Shoreham; and if he will make a statement.

Robert Goodwill: The Department is undertaking six feasibility studies as part of the process of identifying and funding solutions to tackle some of the most notorious and long-standing road hot spots in the country. One of the studies will consider the problems on the A27 corridor, including between Worthing and Shoreham.
	Working with the relevant stakeholders, the Department and the Highways Agency will define the detailed scope and finalise the timings of this study. Formal engagement with stakeholders will commence in January. The study outputs will then be used to inform investments plans in the future.
	The Highways Agency has also been working with Adur District and developers with respect to the highway improvements needed to support development in the Adur Draft Local Plan. Any such improvements would be for developers to fund and programme.

Aviation

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the accuracy of his Department’s impact assessments in the field of aviation reform;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the (a) general accuracy of impact assessments prepared by his Department and submitted to Parliament prior to enactment of the Civil Aviation Act 2012 and (b) estimated annual costs in the form of new charges to be met by the aviation industry when responsibility for regulating aviation security transfers from his Department to the Civil Aviation Authority from 1 April 2014.

Robert Goodwill: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is presently consulting on the charges that, from 1 April next year and in line with the ‘user pays’ principle, it proposes to levy on those aviation entities subject to security regulation, when the authority assumes responsibility for aviation security regulatory and compliance monitoring activity.
	The initial impact assessment included a range of costs from £4.5 million to £6.6 million. However, after carrying out a full due diligence process on the costs involved, this resulted in a revised position of £7.9 million. As part of the CAA’s published response on 6 November to its first round of consultation on charging, full details were provided of an analysis of the differences between the cost information given prior to the passage of the Civil Aviation Act 2012, and the target cost base which now underpins the authority’s charging proposals. The CAA have further met with industry representatives to discuss not only the charges but the cost base on which the charges have been based, leading to an open and transparent dialogue.

Aviation: Security

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the effect on marginal airline route services of transferring responsibility for aviation security from his Department to the Civil Aviation Authority from 1 April 2014;
	(2)  if he will take steps to ensure that any new charges to the aviation industry as a result of transferring responsibility for aviation security from his Department to the Civil Aviation Authority are phased in to mitigate the potential negative effects on marginal airline route services.

Robert Goodwill: No specific assessment has been made by the Department for Transport on the effect of the transfer of aviation security functions to the Civil Aviation Authority, on marginal airline route services.
	The CAA’s proposed charges for aerodromes have been set to recover the regulatory costs of both airlines and airports. However, when setting its charges, the CAA was mindful of the impact on small/medium sized airports. Following discussion with the Airport Operator’s Association, the industry representative body for UK airports, the CAA agreed to include an alleviation for such airports of 50% of its proposed charge in the first year.

Bus Services: Disability

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the success of his Department's attempts to encourage bus and coach providers to increase the proportion of their staff who have received training in disability matters.

Stephen Hammond: In July 2013, the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker), wrote to bus and coach industry representatives to encourage the completion of disability awareness training at the earliest opportunity and confirmed that the Department for Transport will review the number of drivers undertaking this type of training by March 2014, to ensure progress is being made.
	The Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) have estimated that across the whole bus and coach industry, approx 75% of drivers have now completed some form of disability awareness training as part of their Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) training requirement and this figure continues to rise.
	Since September 2008, all professional bus and coach drivers have been required to hold a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) and carry out 35 hours of periodic training every five years as a requirement of the EU Directive 2003/59. Although not compulsory, disability awareness training is widely available as part of the periodic Certificate of Professional Competence training syllabus and training materials can be obtained free of charge from the 'Peoplel1st' training website. These training materials have been developed to reflect the content and best practice set out in the Disability Equality and Awareness Training Framework for Transport Staff developed by the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee.

Bus Services: ICT

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many local authorities are currently developing or implementing programmes to increase the prevalence of audio-visual systems on buses in their area compared to the same time last year.

Stephen Hammond: The Department for Transport estimated that in 2012 there were 8,877 buses operating in England that offered audio announcements on the destination of the bus and the next stop. This amounts to approximately 25% of all buses in England. In addition, there were approximately 6,489 buses providing both audio and visual announcements. We do not hold the equivalent information for 2013.
	However, the Department is aware that at least five local authorities (Bournemouth, Hampshire, Milton Keynes, York and the West Midlands ITA) are implementing plans to increase the provision of audio-visual systems on buses in their local area as part of the Department's £70 million ‘Better Bus Area’ fund.
	The Department for Transport recognises that many people find audio and visual announcements useful for travelling and wrote to bus operators in May 2011 to encourage them to work in partnership with their local authorities to see if the uptake of audio-visual announcement systems could be increased. There is also a commitment within the Department's Accessibility Action Plan (published in December 2012) to develop costings for audio-visual technical options on buses and decide on a way forward. This information will be included in the Accessibility Action Plan progress report, due to be published by the end of 2013.

Driver and Vehicle Agency: Coleraine

Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, of 26 November 2013, Official Report, column 188W, on Driver and Vehicle Agency: Coleraine, when a decision on the future of the Driver and Vehicle Agency at Coleraine will be made and announced.

Robert Goodwill: An announcement on the way forward following the recent consultation on the future of vehicle registration and licensing services in Northern Ireland will be made as soon as I have heard all representations on the matter and have had the opportunity to consider these. This will be as early as possible in the new year.

High Speed Two

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether HS2 Ltd will be able to recover VAT on its spending; and what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on this matter.

Robert Goodwill: In order to recover VAT incurred on the costs of constructing the railway, HS2 Ltd will have to register for VAT. To do so, it will have to satisfy HMRC that it intends to make taxable supplies, as explained in paragraph 3.12 of the May 2013 National Audit Office report. As the NAO also points out in its report, VAT represents an internal transfer within Government rather than an additional cost. There have been no recent discussions with the Chancellor on this matter.

Large Goods Vehicles

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the practicality of fitting sensors to heavy goods vehicles for the protection of cyclists.

Robert Goodwill: The Department for Transport (DFT) commissioned Loughborough university in conjunction with MIRA Ltd, to assess sensing systems as part of a wider investigation on improvements to driver vision from vehicles. The report was published in 2011. The expert appraisal of sensors highlighted the differing capability of these systems in detecting vulnerable road users compared to mirrors and cameras. The research also collected information from 14 drivers routinely using vehicles fitted with sensors. They reported concerns with annoyance/distraction of the audio feedback and unreliability/over-sensitivity giving rise to false alarms. However, the Department recognises that sensor technology is developing and is currently engaging with manufacturers to understand the latest developments.
	A full impact assessment of these systems will be needed before reaching a decision on requiring installation on vehicles.

Llandudno Junction Station

Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with (a) Network Rail and (b) train operating companies on improvements to Llandudno Junction train station.

Stephen Hammond: The Department has had no recent discussions with Network Rail or with train operating companies on improvements to Llandudno Junction train station.

Ministers

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was spent on ministerial salaries in the last year for which figures are available.

Stephen Hammond: Information about ministerial salaries is in the public domain in the Ministerial and other Salaries Act 1975 (Amendment) Order 2011. This is available at:
	http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2011/9780111509258/schedule/1

Parking: Appeals

Nick Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of appeals heard by Parking on Private Land Appeals since it became operational have been decided in favour of the motorist.

Robert Goodwill: Parking on Private Land Appeals (PoPLA) is an independent appeals service covering all tickets issued on private land in England and Wales by members of the British Parking Association (BPA). It is provided free to motorists, and decisions are binding on parking operators, but not on drivers and vehicle keepers.
	Figures for appeals in the initial period of PoPLA's operation are published on their website at:
	www.popla.org.uk

Parking: Fines

Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what the total (a) value and (b) number of outstanding car parking fines was in (i) England, (ii) Wales, (iii) Scotland and (iv) Northern Ireland on the last date for which data is available;
	(2)  how many car parking fines were issued by local authorities in (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland in (i) 2011, (ii) 2012 and (iii) 2013.

Robert Goodwill: Parking is a devolved matter, and policy in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the respective Governments. Information on parking penalties in England is not held centrally. Records of the number of penalty charge notices issued are contained in annual reports from the traffic adjudicators—the Parking and Traffic Appeals Service covers London Councils and the Traffic Penalty Tribunal reports on authorities outside London.

Pedestrian Crossings: Schools

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many schools had lollipop patrols in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012 and (d) 2013 to date.

Robert Goodwill: The Department does not hold records of the number of school crossing patrol services in each local authority.
	The provision of the school crossing patrol service is a matter for the local authority. Legislation gives 'Appropriate Authorities' the power to make arrangements for the patrolling of places where children cross roads on their way to or from school, but does not impose a duty on them to do so.

Railways: Corby

Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to improve connecting and northbound rail services from Corby train station.

Stephen Hammond: The new December 2013 timetable has an additional Corby service from London St Pancras in the morning.
	Detailed timetabling decisions are a matter for the train operator and Network Rail to finalise for the timetable change dates in May and December of each year.
	By December 2017 Network Rail will have completed electrification from London to Corby and doubled the track between Corby and Kettering which will provide extra capacity for passenger and freight services.

Railways: Disability

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether guidance given to train operators on designing disabled people’s protection policies promotes the need to educate staff on interchange to other modes of transport for disabled people.

Stephen Hammond: The Office of Rail Regulation is now responsible for disabled peoples’ protection policies (DPPPs). However, the Department published guidance on how to write DPPPs in 2009. This requires operators to set out what their policy is on providing assistance for disabled passengers connecting to other transport modes and what level of assistance their staff can provide.

Railways: Franchises

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons the Rail Franchise Direct Awards Process Guide is being reviewed; and if he will publish the terms of reference for the review.

Stephen Hammond: A draft version of the Direct Award Process Guide was published in error. We have now reviewed the final version of the Direct Award Process Guide and it will be published shortly.

Railways: Repairs and Maintenance

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total value was of departmental underspend on rail maintenance in each of the last five years.

Stephen Hammond: Network Rail, as the owner and operator of Britain's rail infrastructure, is responsible for maintenance of the network.
	Network Rail has published its figures for maintenance spending in 2012-13 and the cumulative totals for the Control Period to date on page 82 of this document:
	http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/regulatory%20documents/regulatory%20compliance% 20and%20reporting/regulatory%20accounts/nril%20 regulatory%20financial%20statements%20for%20the%20 year%20ended%2031%20march%202013.pdf

Railways: Wales

Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to the recent announcement by the Welsh Assembly Executive of investment in the North Wales Coast Mainline, what discussions he has had with the Welsh Assembly Executive on the effect of such investment on the Conwy Valley railway line.

Stephen Hammond: I have had no discussions with the Welsh Assembly Executive concerning the Conwy Valley railway line. Responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Wales and Borders franchise, which includes the Conwy Valley line, and for specifying and funding services that operate wholly in Wales and across the Wales-England border, rests with the Welsh Government.

Roads: Repairs and Maintenance

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons undamaged stretches of steel central reservation barriers are being replaced with concrete ones; what the cost of new concrete barrier installation is; and if he will make a statement.

Robert Goodwill: The introduction of concrete barriers in the central reserve on motorways was implemented as policy in January 2005 following research that was commissioned by the Highways Agency. Research looked at real costs associated with all types of safety barrier installation, maintenance and accident statistics. The research concluded that high containment concrete safety barrier is the preferred option, when compared to steel, as it has the lowest whole life cost and has a minimum life of 50 years compared to 20 years for steel barrier.
	The installation of concrete barrier in the central reserve reduces significantly the likelihood of crossover incidents, is essentially maintenance free and is unlikely to require repairs after vehicle impact. The accident risk to the travelling public and to road and traffic management workers on our busy motorways is therefore reduced.
	Steel safety barriers in the central reserve of motorways is replaced with concrete when the steel barrier is reaching the end of its serviceable life or when there is an opportunity to bring the central reserve up to current standards during other maintenance or improvement works.
	The cost of implementing concrete barrier schemes vary dependent on the design requirements such as length, road alignment, cross section, central reserve construction, drainage requirements and traffic management. An indicative cost for such schemes range from £1,200 to £2,000 per metre.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Advertising: Children

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the annual exposure of children to alcohol advertisements on (a) television, (b) billboards, (c) cinema screens and (d) the internet;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the safe maximum level of exposure children should have to alcohol advertising on (a) television, (b) billboards, (c) cinema screens and (d) the internet.

Edward Vaizey: The advertising industry is overseen by a system of self and co-regulation, which allows regulations to be more flexible, the industry to be more responsible and which lessens the regulatory burden.
	No such assessments have been made. The Government is keenly aware of the importance of ensuring that there is a robust regime in place to control the advertising and marketing of alcohol, and in particular that children and young people are suitably protected. Following Ofcom's report into alcohol advertising in May this year, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) launched 10 investigations into audience data provided by Ofcom, eight of which resulted in upheld adjudications. Separately, the body that writes the Broadcast Advertising Code, BCAP, has been undertaking work to make sure that the regulation that limits children's exposure to alcohol advertising remains effective, and will set out its recommendations shortly.
	The ASA recently undertook a survey to find out what adverts young people see and engage with online, and whether those complied with UK advertising rules. Of the 427 ads seen by young people as part of the survey, three were for alcohol (i.e. less than 1%), and these adverts, whose content complied with the rules, were delivered to those children who had registered with a false age.

Art Works: Export Controls

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in respect of which objects a decision on a licence application under the Export of Objects of Cultural Interest scheme was originally deferred, but a licence for permanent export was later granted in 2011-12 and 2012-13.

Edward Vaizey: This information in respect of cultural objects that were export-deferred in 2011-12 but where an export licence was subsequently issued, is available in the Annual Report of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest for 2011-12. Copies of the Report are available in the Libraries of the House.
	The information requested for 2012-13 is available on the Arts Council's website at:
	http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/what-we-do/supporting-museums/cultural-property/export-controls/reviewing-committee/case-hearings-2012-13/

Arts: Finance

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the amount invested in UK creative industries through UK crowdfunding platforms in the last year.

Edward Vaizey: DCMS has made no estimate regarding the amount invested in UK creative industries through UK crowdfunding platforms in the last year. However, we recognize that crowdfunding is providing an increasingly valuable source of finance for the creative sector, particularly the large number of innovative and creative start-ups that are emerging in the UK, and by providing alternative sources of finance to businesses it is helping to make an important impact in the real economy. A sub-group of the CIC is looking at improving access to finance for creative businesses, including exploring the potential of non-traditional sources of financing, such as crowdfunding.

BBC: Scotland

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations her Department has received from the Scottish Government in the last 12 months on the proposed establishment of a joint venture between the BBC and a Scottish Broadcasting Service in the event of Scottish independence, as outlined in Scotland's Future: Your Guide to An Independent Scotland.

Edward Vaizey: DCMS has received no representations from the Scottish Government on their proposals for broadcasting in the event of an independent Scotland in the last 12 months. Any bid by an independent Scotland to make use of existing BBC assets, services or content is open to doubt, would have to be negotiated, and the potential impact on the services it provides to the remainder of the UK would need to betaken into account.

Broadband

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to which enterprise zones superfast broadband has been provided to date.

Edward Vaizey: Superfast broadband is available in part, or throughout the following enterprise zones:
	Enterprise zone
	Cornwall Aerohub
	Sandwich Discovery Park
	MIRA Leicestershire
	Sci-Tech Daresbury
	London Royal Docks
	Bristol Temple Quarter
	Manchester Airport City
	New Anglia
	Nottingham
	Black Country
	North Eastern
	Humber
	Birmingham
	Northampton Waterside
	Hereford Skylon Park

Digital Broadcasting: Radio

Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects to make the announcement on digital radio infrastructure.

Edward Vaizey: The announcement on digital radio infrastructure was made on 16 December 2013.

Digital Broadcasting: Radio

Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the value of increasing the coverage of local radio stations on DAB transmission frequency.

Edward Vaizey: Increasing local DAB radio coverage benefits consumers with digital radios as it increases the choice of digital services available and improves the quality of listening. However, broadcasters face an increase in costs from the additional transmitters. More information on the costs and benefits of building out the digital radio infrastructure can be found in the Preliminary Analysis of the Impact of a Switchover report, which we intend to publish shortly.

Digital Broadcasting: Radio

Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what plans she has to increase the number of DAB transmitters;
	(2)  what steps she is taking to increase investment on improving local DAB coverage.

Edward Vaizey: On 16 December, the Government set out plans to support the build out of local digital radio infrastructure to near commercial FM equivalence by 2016.

Digital Broadcasting: Radio

Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to ensure that the switchover to DAB only happens when the majority of consumer radio listening is conducted through digital signals.

Edward Vaizey: The Government has been clear that the transition to digital must be consumer led, and that the majority of listening must be digital before a decision to switchover can be taken.

Digital Broadcasting: Radio

Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent representations she has received on the DAB switchover.

Edward Vaizey: Through the Digital Radio Action Plan, the radio industry and other key stakeholders, including the BBC, Commercial Radio, Multiplex Operators, Ofcom, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, and Consumer Expert Group have made representations on a DAB switchover.

Digital Broadcasting: Radio

Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to ensure that digital infrastructure can be used by local and national radio stations.

Edward Vaizey: On 16 December, the Government set out plans to support the build out of local digital radio infrastructure to near commercial FM equivalence by 2016.
	The Government will also be providing £500,000 funding to Ofcom over the next two years to build on the work of its Brighton pilot to develop small-scale DAB solutions, to allow smaller radio stations to go digital.

Direct Selling

Michael Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when her Department will publish the action plan on nuisance calls.

Edward Vaizey: DCMS has been working with regulators, consumer groups, industry and parliamentarians to consider how to improve the enforcement of the regulations with respect to nuisance calls and we will be publishing our action plan on nuisance calls in the new year.

Londonderry

William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she plans to visit Londonderry during its year as UK City of Culture 2013.

Edward Vaizey: In my role as Minister for Culture, Communications and the Creative Industries I have visited Londonderry, as have other UK Government Ministers and officials, during its year as City of Culture 2013.

S4C and Broadband: Wales

Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which Minister is accountable to Parliament for (a) oversight of broadband roll-out in Wales and (b) the funding of Sianel Pedwar Cymru.

Edward Vaizey: The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport is accountable to Parliament for oversight of broadband roll-out in Wales and for ensuring that funding for S4C (Sianel Pedwar Cymru) is sufficient to fulfil its remit.

Television: Licensing

Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many pensioners claimed the over-75 free television licence in (a) Brigg and Goole constituency and (b) Yorkshire and the Humber in the latest period for which figures are available.

Edward Vaizey: The data recording how many pensioners claimed the over 75 free television licence are not broken down by individual constituencies. Over the UK as a whole, in the financial year 2012-13 there were 3,943,768 free over-75 licences issued.

WOMEN AND EQUALITIES

Pregnant Women: Discrimination

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what assessment she has made of the number of cases of pregnancy discrimination in the workplace.

Jo Swinson: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
	Pregnancy discrimination in the workplace is unacceptable and unlawful. The Government recognises the need to tackle this type of discrimination, and believes that in order to do so in the most effective way, we need to understand the causes and extent of pregnancy discrimination in UK workplaces. This is why, on 4 November 2013, we announced an extensive research project into pregnancy discrimination in the UK. The research will be jointly managed and funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, supported by the Government Equalities Office. The research will report in 2014.
	In 2011/12, there were 1,700 employment tribunal claims that included a maternity rights-based claim, this represents 1% of employment tribunal claims in 2011/12. Of these, around1:
	430 were withdrawn
	900 were ACAS conciliated
	120 were successful at hearing
	150 were unsuccessful at hearing
	77 were struck out (not at hearing)
	30 were dismissed at a preliminary hearing
	28 received a default judgment—claimant successful.
	1 Parts may not sum to total due to rounding. From the statistics, we cannot assert whether ACAS conciliated or withdrawn claims were successful or unsuccessful.

TREASURY

Air Passenger Duty

Nick de Bois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the total receipts from air passenger duty was attributable to (a) band C and (b) band D in (i) 2009, (ii) 2010, (iii) 2011, (iv) 2012 and (v) 2013 to date.

Nicky Morgan: The published statistics on air passenger duty, including information on historic revenues from the duty and passenger numbers by band, are available at:
	https://www.uktradeinfo.com/Statistics/Pages/TaxAndDutyBulletins.aspx

Child Tax Credit: Southwark

Harriet Harman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many households in the London Borough of Southwark received child tax credits in (a) 2009, (b) 2010, (c) 2011, (d) 2012 and (e) 2013.

Nicky Morgan: The finalised annual award child and working tax credits statistics for 2011-12 are available here:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/fin-geog-stats/geo-analyses.xls
	Table 2 of this publication provides a breakdown of figures by local authority, including Southwark.
	For the years 2003-04 to 2010-11, please refer to the archived publication webpage:
	http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20121106034103/http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/final-award-geog.htm

Employee Ownership

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the average annual tax relief to individuals benefiting from employee shareholder status.

David Gauke: Given the range of employees potentially using the employee shareholder status, it is not feasible to determine an estimate for the average annual tax relief to employee shareholders. However, the overall annual cost of the reliefs is estimated at £75 million by 2016-17. It is estimated that some 50,000 to 80,000 individuals could potentially benefit from the income tax and national insurance contributions relief on the acquisition of shares, and that around 20,000 to 40,000 may eventually benefit from the capital gains tax exemption on disposal of the shares.
	Estimates of the cost of the tax reliefs associated with the employee shareholder status are as follows and include the cost of both the income tax/national insurance and the capital gains tax exemptions:
	
		
			  Total (£ million) 
			 2013-14 0 
			 2014-15 -15 
			 2015-16 -45 
			 2016-17 -75 
		
	
	A breakdown of the cost and background information can be found at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/tiin/emp-shareholder-status.pdf

Excise Duties: Fuels

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (a) assessment was made of the UK economy and (b) evidential basis was used in reaching the decision to maintain the fuel duty differential between road fuel gases other than LPG autogas and conventional fuels and narrowing the fuel differential between LPG autogas and conventional fuels.

Nicky Morgan: Autumn statement, 5 December 2013, Official Report, columns 1101-1113, set out a 10 year approach to the taxation of road fuel gases to incentivise the purchase and development of alternatively fuelled commercial vehicles. The economic basis for this is that it will provide businesses with the certainty they need to invest in alternatively fuelled commercial vehicles, supporting the de-carbonisation of the UK transport sector and contribute to reducing the transport fuel costs of businesses. The liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) duty differential will continue to reduce by 1 ppl each year as LPG is not as environmentally beneficial as natural gas. This is a continuation of the approach set out in Budgets 2009 and 2010.

Excise Duties: Tobacco

Grahame Morris: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer further to the answer of 6 September 2013, Official Report, column 579W, on excise duties: tobacco, whether he has completed his assessment of the implications of Article 4 of Council Decision 2010/12/EU; and what plans HM Revenue and Customs and the UK Border Force have to enforce compliance with its provisions by travellers.

Nicky Morgan: The Government is waiting for those member states with excise duty rates on cigarettes currently below the permitted minimum rates applicable from 1 January 2014 to declare what rates they will apply from that date before deciding whether the UK should apply quantitative restrictions on the personal importations of cigarettes from those countries. The UK Border Force will continue to apply intelligence-based checks on persons entering the UK from any member state to which these restrictions apply.

Financial Markets

Graham Brady: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his Department will make an assessment of the potential effect on financial markets of a move to staggering the release of economically sensitive headline data and supporting tables by the Office for National Statistics.

Nicky Morgan: The arrangements for the release of official statistics are a matter for the independent UK Statistical Authority and the Office for National Statistics. The Government recognises the key issues, noting the response to the recent UKSA proposals, and is confident the statistical authorities will continue to operate to ensure timely and orderly data releases.

Financial Services: Compensation

Guto Bebb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the completion date of the Financial Conduct Authority redress scheme will be;
	(2)  what discussions he has had with the banks about completion of the Financial Conduct Authority redress scheme.

Sajid Javid: On 6 December, the Financial Conduct Authority published each individual bank's projections for when they expect to finish the redress scheme. The projections show that the banks expect to finish reviewing all cases by June 2014, with some banks likely to complete the scheme before this date.
	Treasury Ministers and officials meet with, and receive representations from, a wide range of organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors as part of the usual policymaking process. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Treasury's practice to provide details of all such representations.

Free School Meals

Luciana Berger: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his oral statement of 5 December 2013, Official Report, column 1129, from which departmental budget additional funding for free school meals will be taken.

Danny Alexander: holding answer 12 December 2013
	The Government has delivered a fiscally neutral autumn statement 2013. This includes a reduction in unprotected departmental resource budgets in 2014-15 and 2015-16 and other actions to ensure the Government's priority for a responsible recovery is met.
	Details of the measures and their funding are set out in Tables 2.1 and 2.4 of the autumn statement document.

Income Tax

Margaret Curran: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) basic rate, (b) higher rate and (c) additional rate taxpayers there were in total and in each constituent part of the UK in 2012-13.

David Gauke: Estimates of the number of taxpayers at each income tax rate band are published in HMRC’s National Statistics which are available on the internet.
	The figures at UK level are published in table 2.1 at the following address:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/tax-statistics/table2-1.pdf
	Breakdowns by country and region are published in table 2.2 at the following address:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/tax-statistics/table2-2.pdf

Income Tax: Scotland

Margaret Curran: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of income tax paid by those in Scotland is paid by (a) basic rate, (b) higher rate and (c) additional rate taxpayers.

David Gauke: The proportion of tax liability for taxpayers in Scotland falling within each income tax band is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Income tax 2010-11, Scotland 
			 Percentage 
			 Taxpayers marginal rate Proportion of total income tax liability 
			 Non-higher rate1 56 
			 Higher rate 32 
		
	
	
		
			 Additional rate 12 
			 1 The “Non-higher rate” category covers all liabilities at the starting rate, savers rate and the basic rates of tax. Note: These estimates are based on the Survey of Personal Incomes (SPI) for 2010-11 which provides the latest outturn data available.

Minimum Wage

George Galloway: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the increase in receipts to the Exchequer from a rise in the minimum wage from £6.31 to £7.65 nationally and to £8.80 in London.

David Gauke: The Treasury has made no such assessment.
	The Low Pay Commission reviews the national minimum wage rates and recommends rate uplifts to government on the basis of valued independent judgment and advice.
	The Government is committed to the minimum wage because of the protection it provides low paid workers and the incentives to work it provides. It is important that we have a minimum wage that helps as many low paid workers as possible, while at the same time making sure that we do not damage their employment prospects by setting it too high.
	The Government is keen that lower paid workers benefit from the strengthening economic recovery. This is why, in September, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovations and Skills asked the Low Pay Commission to consider the conditions that would need to be in place in order to allow a faster increase in the minimum wage taking into account the implications on employment.

National Insurance Contributions

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 15 October 2013, Official Report, column 632W, on national insurance contributions (NIC), what the total NIC liability was in 2011-12 of the 3.73 million national insurance contributors who earned less than £7,225 in that year.

David Gauke: The 3.73 million national insurance contributors who earned less than £7,225 in 2011-12 had combined class 1 contributions of around £420 million.
	Nobody with earnings below £10,000 in 2014-15 pays income tax as a result of this Government's measures.
	They pay national insurance contributions because employee national insurance contributions arise separately in each pay period; for example, weekly whenever earnings exceed the equivalent pay period employee threshold.
	These estimates are based on a 1% sample of end of year tax returns in respect of the tax year ending 5 April 2012.

Non-domestic Rates

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many businesses in (a) Brighton and Hove and (b) in total will benefit from the full £1,000 business rates discount announced in the autumn statement on 5 December 2013; what his timescale is for bringing forward guidance on how the discount will be applied; and if he will make available an online tool for small businesses to calculate what their discount will be under this policy.

David Gauke: The information is as follows:
	(a) No estimate has been made of the number of businesses in Brighton and Hove that will benefit from the full £1,000 business rates discount announced in the autumn statement on 5 December 2013.
	(b) The Government estimates that around 300,000 retail premises in England will benefit from the £1,000 business rates discount in full or in part. It is not clear how many businesses this equates to as some businesses operate from more than one premises.
	The Department of Communities and Local Government will bring forward detailed guidance on eligibility and the calculation of bills early in the new year.

Non-domestic Rates

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many retail premises with a rateable value of up to £50,000 there are in (a) City of York, (b) Yorkshire and the Humber and (c) England; and how many of them are used by businesses which trade from (i) only one, (ii) two to four and (iii) five or more retail premises.
	(2)  pursuant to the autumn statement, what information his Department holds on the (a) ownership and (b) usage of retail premises with a rateable value of (i) less than and (ii) more than £50,000.

David Gauke: The information is as follows:
	(a) No estimate has been made of the number of retail premises with a rateable value of up to £50,000 in the City of York.
	(b) The Government estimates that around 31,000 retail premises with a rateable value of up to £50,000 in Yorkshire and the Humber will benefit from the £1,000 discount announced at autumn statement 2013.
	(c) The Government estimates around 300,000 retail premises in England will benefit from the £1,000 business rates discount announced in the autumn statement.
	No data is available on how many of them are used by businesses which trade from (i) only one, (ii) two to four and (iii) five or more retail premises. The Treasury does not hold information on ownership or usage of these premises. However, information on property types and average rateable value is publicly available on the VOA website at:
	http://www.voa.gov.uk/corporate/Publications/statisticsCentralLocalRating.html

Non-domestic Rates: Norfolk

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of businesses in (a) Norfolk and (b) North West Norfolk constituency which will receive the £1,000 discount for retail premises with a rated value of up to £50,000; and if he will make a statement.

David Gauke: No estimate has been made of the number of businesses in (a) Norfolk and (b) North West Norfolk constituency that will receive the £1,000 discount for retail premises with a rated value of up to £50,000.
	The Government estimates that around 300,000 retail premises in England will benefit from the £1,000 business rates discount announced in the autumn statement on 5 December 2013. It is not clear how many businesses this equates to as some businesses operate from more than one premises.

Non-domestic Rates: Yorkshire and the Humber

Andrew Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many small businesses in Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency will benefit from the extension of the small business rate relief scheme to April 2015.

David Gauke: No estimate has been made of the number of small businesses in Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency that will benefit from the extension of the Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) scheme.
	The Government estimates around 540,000 businesses in England will benefit from the extension of the SBRR announced at autumn statement 2013.

North Sea Oil

John Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the right hon. Member for Edinburgh South West, of 5 December 2013, Official Report, column 1118, on the Autumn Statement, 
	(1)  what recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on its forecast for North Sea oil revenues in 2016;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the forecast for North Sea oil revenues made by the Scottish Government;
	(3)  if he will publish the advice from the Office for Budget Responsibility regarding its forecast for North Sea oil revenues.

Nicky Morgan: The Chancellor of the Exchequer has had no discussions with the Scottish Government on its forecast for North sea oil revenues in 2016.
	The independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has revised down its forecast for North sea revenues by almost £4 billion over the next three years and by £1.3 billion in 2016-17. Scotland benefits as part of the UK from being able to pool resources and share risks, so instead of needing to cut spending over the next three years as a result of lower oil and gas revenue, the Scottish Government will see a significant rise in its budget.
	The OBR published its Economic and Fiscal Outlook on 5 December 2013. This included their forecasts on oil and gas production and prices, which inform their revenue forecasts, and outlined the reasons behind the downward revisions. Their forecast over the next three years is £7 billion lower than the Scottish Government's lowest forecast. The Government has no plans to conduct a separate assessment of the Scottish Government's forecast.

Revenue and Customs: Newry

Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans (a) he and (b) officials in his Department have to visit the HM Revenue and Customs' office in Newry to assess the (i) effectiveness of the service provided and (ii) specialist tax avoidance and tax evasion work undertaken in respect of the construction industry scheme.

David Gauke: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 3 December 2013, Official Report, column 608W.
	I can also confirm there are no plans to make assessment visits. Any visits made to Newry office will be to visit staff during their normal course of business.

Revenue and Customs: Newry

Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of value of the specialist tax avoidance and tax evasion work undertaken by Newry HM Revenue and Customs office in respect of the construction industry scheme.

David Gauke: HMRC confirms that there is no specialist tax presence in Newry office so that office does not undertake tax avoidance work.
	I refer the hon. Member to my previous answer of 28 November 2013, OfficialReport, column 566W, which supplied details of the work items processed by Newry office over the last five tax years. Newry office processes both PAYE and construction industry schemes and as this is one of many offices in HMRC undertaking this work a value could be made available only at disproportionate cost.

Royal Bank of Scotland

Guto Bebb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the evidence given by Dr Mark Carney to the Treasury Select Committee on 26 November 2013; and if he will instruct the Financial Conduct Authority to conduct an inquiry into RBS's treatment of small businesses;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the suitability of Clifford Chance to conduct the internal investigation at RBS following the report made by Lawrence Tomlinson.

Sajid Javid: The decision to appoint Clifford Chance to conduct an internal investigation at RBS, following the report made by Lawrence Tomlinson on RBS's lending practices, is an internal decision taken independently by RBS.
	The Governor of the Bank of England stated in the evidence he provided to the Treasury Select Committee on 26 November that it is the responsibility of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to conduct an investigation into the allegations surrounding RBS's lending practices and treatment of small businesses. The FCA has considered the reports published by Sir Andrew Large and, separately, by Dr Lawrence Tomlinson into banks’ treatment of customers in financial difficulty.
	These were not Government reports, however they are serious allegations. The FCA has agreed with RBS that an independent skilled person will be appointed under FCA powers to review the allegations in the reports against RBS's practices. If the findings from the review reveal issues which come within the FCA's remit, the FCA will consider further regulatory measures.

Tax Allowances: Pensioners

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to mitigate the effect of the freeze on age-related tax allowances on pensioners.

Nicky Morgan: The Government remains committed to supporting pensioners. No pensioner will pay more tax this year than they did last year as a direct result of the freeze of age-related allowances. Pensioners not receiving age-related allowances will benefit from the Government's income tax cuts just as working age taxpayers.
	The Government has introduced a triple guarantee for the basic state pension and also protected key benefits that make a real difference to the lives of millions of pensioners every day.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to answer question 177828 from the hon. Member for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland tabled on 26 November 2013.

David Gauke: I have done so today.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Army: Germany

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 11 November 2013, Official Report, column 412W, on Army: Germany, what meetings he, Ministers and Officials in his Department have had with counterparts in (a) the Ministry of Defence and (b) the Department for Education on the effect of re-basing on the local authorities in which (i) Dalton Barracks, Abingdon, (ii) Kendrew Barracks, Cottesmore and (iii) Imjin Barracks, Gloucester are situated.

Brandon Lewis: Ministers and Officials within the Department for Communities and Local Government regularly meet colleagues from other Departments to discuss a range of matters.

Council Tax

Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 22 April 2013, Official Report, column 578W, on council tax, what the level of total arrears of council tax outstanding as of March 2013 was in each local billing authority in England.

Brandon Lewis: holding answer 18 July 2013
	I have placed in the Library of the House, a table showing the total council tax arrears as of 31 March 2013 for each billing authority in England; to assist public scrutiny, the table also includes total arrears per dwelling and the in-year council tax collection rate. The table shows that councils have failed to collect £2.4 billion of council tax, which is equivalent to £102 for every household in England.
	The worst council in England is Liverpool with £528 of arrears per dwelling; the best is Amber Valley with just £13 per dwelling.
	In our best practice document, "50 ways to save", we listed improving council tax collection rates, and reducing arrears as a key way of making sensible savings to help keep overall council tax bills down and protect frontline services. Every penny of council tax that is not collected means a higher council tax for the law-abiding citizen who does pay on time.
	It is important that councils are sympathetic to those in genuine hardship, are proportionate in enforcement and do not overuse bailiffs. However, these figures show that there is a significant source of income for councils, which councils across the country could use to support frontline service or freeze council tax bills.

Curzon Institute

Sheila Gilmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 10 December 2013, Official Report, column 157W, on the Curzon Institute, how much his Department is paying the Curzon Institute under this contract.

Stephen Williams: The Department for Communities and Local Government has agreed to pay £125,000 in total to the Curzon Institute in 2013-14. This is being paid in instalments. This will be paid as a grant, under section 70 of the Charities Act.
	More information about the project can be found on my Department’s website at:
	www.gov.uk/government/news/commonwealth-contribution-to-first-world-war-to-be-commemorated

Enterprise Zones

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  how many jobs have been created to date at each enterprise zone; and how many jobs are currently based at each enterprise zone;
	(2)  how many firms are currently based at each enterprise zone; and how many firms have begun occupying premises at each enterprise zone since each zone began operation.

Kris Hopkins: Enterprise Zones are about delivering long term, sustainable growth. Since they opened for business in April 2012, they have laid down the foundations of their success, attracting 212 businesses and international investment, securing half a billion pounds of private sector investment and creating nearly 5,000 jobs.

Fire Services: Cambridgeshire

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether his Department has had discussions with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire and Rescue Authority on submitting auditable data to the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy in a timely fashion; and if he will make a statement.

Brandon Lewis: holding answer 12 December 2013
	I have had no discussions with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire and Rescue Authority with regard to submitting auditable data to the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy in a timely fashion. However, I understand from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, that Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire and Rescue Authority was the only authority in England not to submit data in both 2012 and 2013. In a letter dated 7 November to the chairman of the authority, I highlighted the importance of this data to enable comparisons to be made between different authorities' performance.

Floods

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what help his Department is providing to local authorities affected by the recent flooding.

Brandon Lewis: On 6 December the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, my right hon. Friend the Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr Pickles), activated the Bellwin Scheme to reimburse local authorities for their immediate costs caused by the storm surges and flooding on 5 and 6 December 2013. The Department is currently working and meeting with local authorities to assess the impacts of floods.

India

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many of his Department's officials accompanied him on his visit to India in 2013; and what the total cost was of (a) travel, (b) accommodation and (c) expenses for each such individual.

Brandon Lewis: The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, my right hon. Friend the Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr Pickles), was accompanied by one private secretary on his trade visit to India. The total costs for this individual were as follows:
	
		
			  Cost 
			 Travel (£) 3,493.60 
			 Accommodation (Indian rupees1) 17,633.20 
			 Expenses 0 
			 1 Approximately £204 based on the exchange rate at the time that the payment was made. 
		
	
	I would refer the hon. Member to the speech by the Prime Minister in July 2010 on the case for greater engagement and co-operation between the United Kingdom and India. As he stated:
	“I want to take the relationship between India and Britain to the next level. I want to make it stronger, wider, and deeper... India represents an enormous opportunity for British companies; already our trade relationship is worth £11.5 billion a year, but I want us to go further. India plans to invest $500 billion in infrastructure in the coming years. That is, of course, good for Indian business but it is also a chance for British companies to generate growth.”

Internet

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether access to any websites or domains is blocked from computers in his Department; and if he will publish a list of all such websites and domains to which access is prohibited.

Brandon Lewis: There is no specific list of blocked websites to publish. Rather, my Department uses a web protection tool that intelligently filters or blocks access to types of inappropriate content.
	For example, this includes blocking the likes of malware, botnets, keyloggers, phishing, spyware, spam, exploits, excessive bandwidth such as peer-to-peer file sharing, as well as not-suitable-for-work content including music download services, drugs, pornography, gambling and computer games. This reflects common practice in a business environment.
	Notwithstanding, I would note that under the last Labour Government, the Department blocked all access to the Daily Star website. Reflecting our commitment to an independent free press, we have lifted this state censorship.

Local Government: Cooperation

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he will publish the report by his Department on the monitoring of the duty to cooperate.

Nicholas Boles: The changes we introduced in the Localism Act 2011 require all local authorities to report regularly on actions they have taken locally on planning, including on the duty to cooperate, and removed top down national monitoring. Local authorities provide this information locally through their Authority Monitoring Reports.

Local Government: Publicity

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which local authorities are currently in breach of the Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity.

Brandon Lewis: I refer the right hon. Member to my answer of 21 November 2013, Official Report, column 980W, which outlines the local authorities which are still publishing municipal newspapers more frequently than the Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity recommends.
	Further to my answer of 14 February 2013, Official Report, columns 839-40W, I continue to have serious concerns about the mismanagement of public funds by the London borough of Tower Hamlets. I understand further complaints are being investigated by Ofcom (although Ofcom has no power to take action against the council, only the broadcasters).
	This is not a comprehensive list—from time to time, I have been made aware of instances where councils have published publicity at taxpayers’ expense which is clearly in breach of the code.
	The provisions of the Local Audit and Accountability Bill will help discourage such abuse of taxpayers’ money and defend the independent free press from unfair municipal competition.

Local Government: Tower Hamlets

Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 26 November 2013, Official Report, column 167W, on local government: Tower Hamlets, if he will place in the Library all responses his Department received from councils on that consultation document.

Brandon Lewis: I have placed in the Library of the House, a copy of the Government's response to the consultation on "Protecting the Independent Press from Unfair Competition" which outlines the divergent views of councils and representatives of independent newspapers.

Non-domestic Rates

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when his Department next plans to review the rating of plant and machinery for the purposes of business rates.

Brandon Lewis: Business rates are a devolved matter and in Wales are the responsibility of the Welsh Assembly Government.
	The rating of plant and machinery was last reviewed in the 1990s by the Wood Committee whose recommendations put in place a fair and stable system for the rating of plant and machinery. This system has been tested in the courts and is now widely understood and respected. Accordingly, we have no plans to examine the rating of plant and machinery although we continue to keep the business rates system under review.

Non-domestic Rates

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the value of receipts in each of the last five financial years from the additional premium applied to automatic fire sprinkler systems as part of plant and machinery valuations for the purposes of business rates is.

Brandon Lewis: Business rates are a devolved matter and in Wales are the responsibility of the Welsh Assembly Government.
	The Department does not hold information on the amount of business rates paid in respect of automatic fire sprinkler systems.

Non-domestic Rates: Shops

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he is taking to support the economy by reducing rates of high street shopping in towns.

Brandon Lewis: The Government has just announced a range of powerful new measures to provide the tools for the public and private sectors to transform their town centres for their local communities in England. These include the biggest business rates support package for over 20 years, banning CCTV for parking and allowing residents and firms to review parking policies, a freeze on parking penalty charges, a review of business improvement districts, consultations on new permitted development rights, further planning simplification, a call for evidence on red tape, and support for the digital high streets. The devolved Administrations have developed their own approaches to town centres and as part of the autumn statement will receive their share of the business rates package funding according to the Barnett formula.
	This is on top of a range of other measure we have taken to help high streets: £2.3 million to support the Portas pilots, £10 million from the High Street Innovation Fund to support 100 towns with the highest empty property rates and those affected by the riots, a £500,000 loan fund for new business improvement districts and funding and support to over 330 more town teams across the country.

Planning Permission: Appeals

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent representations his Department has received from local authorities about delays by the Planning Inspectorate in determining appeals.

Nicholas Boles: The Planning Inspectorate has received just two representations in the last six months.
	I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 3 December 2013, Official Report, column 632W, on steps we are taking to facilitate quicker decision making.

Right to Buy Scheme

Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  how many owner-occupied homes (a) nationally and (b) in Greater Manchester have received direct mail regarding the Right to Buy scheme since May 2010; and if he will estimate the cost to the public purse of sending such letters;
	(2)  how much his Department has spent on producing and sending direct mail regarding the Right to Buy scheme to homes (a) nationally, (b) in Greater Manchester and (c) in the Manchester Central constituency since May 2010.

Kris Hopkins: The Department for Communities and Local Government is committed to ensuring eligible tenants have information about their right to buy, so they can make an informed decision about whether it is the right choice for them. Direct marketing to social housing tenants who could be eligible for the scheme is the most effective way to reach them with this information.
	The Department does not hold any data on the names and addresses of social housing tenants and therefore we cannot precisely identify those who may be eligible for the Right to Buy scheme. The postcodes and addresses were selected using long-established direct marketing targeting techniques to refine the data and make sure it was as accurate as possible. Throughout only the best data sources were selected for use in the next burst to ensure continuous improvement.
	The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with very high levels of responses from eligible tenants wanting to find out more about the scheme. The mailings included an eligibility criteria checker to enable tenants to 'self-select' thereby ensuring higher quality responses.
	Clearly, the right to buy can only be exercised by eligible tenants if they know about it, can check their eligibility and have sufficient information about their right to buy. Landlords have a statutory duty to inform their tenants about the changes. However, the Department's research in 2003 on previous changes to the scheme in 1999, for example, suggested that only a third of tenants were aware of those changes.
	
		
			 Direct marketing costs since May 2010 
			  £ 
			 2011-12 0 
			 2012-13 311,618 
			 2013-14 295,705 
		
	
	A total of £219 million has been generated from additional sales receipts since April 2012, which is being put directly into providing new affordable houses for rent.
	Mailings have been sent to households in Manchester over two years (80,000 sent in November 2012 and 52,000 in November 2013) which has cost approximately £22,000 in total. The Manchester postcodes included in the mailing are: M1, 3, 4, 8, 9, 11 to 16, 18 to23, and 40.
	To place this spending on marketing advertising in context, DCLG has cut spending on marketing advertising from £9.9 million in 2009-10 to £2.4 million in 2012-13.

Right to Buy Scheme

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the proportion of right-to-buy leaseholders who regret their purchase because of the need to implement costly repairs;
	(2)  what guidance his Department offers right-to-buy leaseholders on steps to take to be informed of ongoing costs associated with their property.

Kris Hopkins: DCLG does not hold this information. Right to buy has given generations of social tenants the opportunity to fulfil their homeownership aspirations, and this Government has been clear that right-to-buy applicants must be provided with clear advice on both the benefits and responsibilities that homeownership brings. Our right-to-buy booklets: “Want to make your home your own?” and “Thinking of buying your council flat?” provide tenants with advice and tools to help them work out the costs of homeownership. The booklets are available for free from social landlords or they can be downloaded at:
	http://righttobuy.communities.gov.uk/howtoapply/
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/thinking-of-buying-your-council-flat--2
	The Housing Act 1985 contains a number of duties on social housing landlords in respect to supporting potential right-to-buy leaseholders. Social housing landlords must provide all tenants with a document containing information to assist the tenant in making their decision, including on leaseholder responsibilities. As part of the offer notice to a right-to-buy applicant, landlords must also provide an estimate of service charges for the first five-years of ownership.
	The hon. Member may also be interested to note that the Department is currently considering the responses to our recent consultation on proposals to cap leaseholder charges at £10,000 outside London, and £15,000 in London, where the works to tenanted homes receive future government funding. I would expect social landlords to ensure that leaseholder charges are always proportionate and rational, and deliver good value for money.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Air Pollution: Greater London

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when his Department expects air quality standards in central London to comply with UK and EU legal requirements.

Dan Rogerson: Central London is compliant with the majority of UK and EU standards for air pollution.
	Meeting EU standards for nitrogen dioxide remains a challenge for many large urban areas in the UK and across Europe. In 2011 DEFRA submitted estimates of the year each part of the UK would meet these standards to the European Commission. These estimated that London would be compliant by 2025. The assumptions behind our projections are regularly reviewed to reflect new understanding and we expect to have new projections available in 2014.
	London is expected to be compliant with limit values for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) by 2020 when all the limit values for this pollutant come into force.
	Central London is compliant with the ozone target value for health but currently exceeds the (non-mandatory) long-term objective for this pollutant, and no projections are available for when we expect it to meet this objective. Central London is compliant with the EU target value for benzo[a]pyrene, but does not currently meet the (non-mandatory) national objective for this pollutant as set out in the Air Quality Strategy 2007.

Animal Housing: Quarantine

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many boarding establishments are licensed as quarantine kennels in (a) England and (b) Wales; and if he will make a statement.

George Eustice: There are eight licensed quarantine kennels in England and none in Wales.

Animal Housing: Quarantine

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many kennel spaces there are in quarantine kennels in (a) England and (b) Wales; and if he will make a statement.

George Eustice: There are 225 kennel spaces in quarantine kennels in England (note that some units can take up to three pets belonging to the same owner). There are no kennel spaces in Wales.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people granted licences to take part in the pilot badger culls had previous convictions for firearms or wildlife offences.

George Eustice: At the time of confirming the additional authorised persons to act under the pilot culling licences, granted for west Gloucester and west Somerset, there were no declared previous convictions for wildlife offences. Firearms offences are not known by Natural England and are the responsibility of relevant local police authorities.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what checks were carried out on the suitability to use firearms of individuals applying for licences to participate in the pilot badger culls.

George Eustice: All persons authorised to act under the badger control culling licences attended and passed a Government approved training course. Any firearms certificate amendments were then considered and made by the relevant local police authority for each individual contractor using a rifle.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Brighton Pavilion, of 18 November 2013, Official Report, column 714W, on bovine tuberculosis, for what reasons tests for tuberculosis were not carried out as part of all post-mortem examination of badgers shot during culls; what the results were of the few tests carried out at the specific request of landowners; and if he will consider carrying out TB tests in culled badgers as a matter of course.

George Eustice: Testing badgers for infection with M. bovis was one of the elements investigated during the randomised badger culling trial. This yielded evidence on the typical prevalence of TB in badgers in areas of high TB incidence. The purpose of the pilots was to test our assumptions that controlled shooting can be carried out safely, humanely and effectively. It was not intended to repeat gathering evidence to quantify TB incidence in badgers, because we know that M. bovis is prevalent in badger populations in the high risk areas.
	The results for the tests on badger carcasses that were tested on occasion at the specific request of landowners figures are being withheld at present under regulation 12(5)(c), intellectual property.
	We do not intend carrying out routine testing of badgers during culls.

Common Agricultural Policy

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when his Department will set out plans to support environmentally-friendly farming following reform of the common agricultural policy.

George Eustice: A successor to the current environmental stewardship scheme is being developed as part of the next Rural Development programme (pillar two of the common agricultural policy (cap)). Our plans for the new environmental land management scheme have formed part of the recent consultation on implementation of CAP reform in England, which closed on 28 November. The responses to that consultation are currently under consideration.
	We are also considering how best to implement in England the new greening requirements for introduction as part of pillar one CAP arrangements and will be announcing our conclusions shortly.

Environmental Stewardship Scheme

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to support farm environment schemes.

George Eustice: The current Rural Development Programme for England, which provides funding for our current agri-environment schemes, will close on 31 December this year. The next Rural Development Programme is not however due to begin until 2015. During the transitional year between the two programmes, funding for our schemes will continue, as announced on 5 July.
	A new scheme to replace the current Environmental Stewardship and English Woodland Grant schemes should be available in 2015, as set out in the recent consultation on implementation of Common Agricultural Policy Reform in England, which closed on 28 November. The responses to that consultation are currently under consideration.

Exhaust Emissions: Diesel Vehicles

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information his Department holds on the (a) level of and (b) trend in emissions of particulates from diesel vehicles in (i) central and (ii) Greater London.

Dan Rogerson: Emissions of coarse particles (particulate matter up to 10 micrometers in size, or PM10) from diesel exhausts are estimated annually by the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (NAEI) for a range of vehicle types, see
	http://naei.defra.gov.uk
	Emissions data for the most recent 10 years (2002 to 2011), for (i) central London and (ii) greater London for a range of diesel vehicles are reproduced as follows. They show a significant decline in diesel exhaust emissions over this period.
	
		
			 Emissions of PM10 from diesel exhausts (kilotonnes) 
			  2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 
			 Central London           
			 Black cabs 0.024 0.024 0.023 0.021 0.018 0.015 0.013 0.012 0.010 0.010 
			 Diesel cars 0.016 0.016 0.015 0.014 0.014 0.014 0.015 0.013 0.012 0.010 
			 Diesel light goods vehicles 0.019 0.018 0.018 0.017 0.016 0.015 0.013 0.009 0.008 0.007 
			 HGV rigids 0.013 0.013 0.012 0.011 0.010 0.009 0.007 0.006 0.005 0.003 
			 HGV artics 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 
			 Buses and coaches 0.032 0.031 0.020 0.014 0.011 0.010 0.009 0.008 0.007 0.008 
			 Total 0.107 0.104 0.089 0.080 0.071 0.065 0.057 0.049 0.044 0.038 
			            
			 Greater London           
			 Black cabs 0.109 0.109 0.101 0.092 0.079 0.067 0.056 0.053 0.049 0.048 
			 Diesel cars 0.357 0.343 0.326 0.319 0.314 0.316 0.327 0.316 0.313 0.264 
			 Diesel light goods vehicles 0.313 0.292 0.282 0.276 0.247 0.229 0.203 0.153 0.141 0.121 
			 HGV rigids 0.216 0.203 0.186 0.175 0.161 0.138 0.106 0.096 0.085 0.055 
			 HGV artics 0.085 0.081 0.078 0.075 0.070 0.059 0.041 0.036 0.030 0.021 
			 Buses and coaches 0.128 0.124 0.082 0.060 0.046 0.043 0.037 0.033 0.031 0.032 
			 Total 1.209 1.152 1.056 0.997 0.918 0.852 0.770 0.686 0.650 0.540

Ministers

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was spent on ministerial salaries in the last year for which figures are available.

Dan Rogerson: The remuneration report at page 40 of DEFRA's Annual Report and Accounts provides details of Minister's salaries paid in the 2012-13 financial year.
	The 2012-13 Annual Report and Accounts can be viewed here:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/224329/defra-year-end-accounts2012-13.pdf

Palm Oil

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress he has made on implementing the Government's commitment to require sustainable palm oil provided under public procurement contracts for food and catering.

Dan Rogerson: The Government Buying Standard (GBS) for food and catering was amended in October 2012 to include a new requirement about sourcing sustainable palm oil. The Standard says:
	“From the end of 2015 all palm oil (including palm kernel oil and products derived from palm oil) used for cooking and as an ingredient in food must be sustainably produced”.
	The accompanying guidance sets out the criteria for sustainable production of palm oil.

Sky Lanterns

Harriett Baldwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent steps he has taken to reduce the risks to the environment posed by Chinese lanterns.

George Eustice: An independent study to identify and assess the impacts and risks associated with sky lantern (or Chinese lantern) use, published in May 2013, concluded that the contribution of sky lantern debris to overall environmental littering is small or highly localised and was insufficient to justify action to ban their sale or use.
	Voluntary action and initiatives have been shown to be effective and we have been working with other Government Departments and representatives from the hospitality and retail sectors to draw attention to the risks that sky lanterns pose and look for ways to improve standards and safety.

Sustainable Development

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what evaluation he has made of the effectiveness of the Environmental Audit Committee in overseeing the implementation of sustainable development policy since the abolition of the Sustainable Development Commission; and what discussions he has had with the Chair of that committee on the resources available to it to undertake that task.

Dan Rogerson: It is not the responsibility of Government to evaluate the performance of a Select Committee of the House. Resourcing of Select Committees is a matter for Parliament.

Water Companies

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the degree of over-leverage in water companies' finances; and what assessment he has made of the effect of such over-leverage for Government infrastructure guarantees.

Dan Rogerson: Regulated utilities, including in the water sector, are secure long term investments. While there is wide variation, leverage levels of 70-80% are not unusual. Ofwat proposes to increase the notional gearing level it uses in calculations for 2015 to 2020 to reflect this reality and to cut down the profits companies can make through higher leverage.
	The UK guarantees scheme is in place to help infrastructure projects raise debt. The risks associated with each project are assessed on a case by case basis.
	The only water project for which Government financial intervention is under consideration is for the Thames Tideway Tunnel. The draft reasons for specifying this infrastructure project under the Water Industry (Specified Infrastructure Projects) (English Undertakers) Regulations 2013 are currently the subject matter of a consultation that finishes on 6 January 2014. They make clear that any Government contingent financial support for this project would be as a consequence of the risks attached to this project and not as a result of Thames Water's capital structure. The draft reasons also clarify why customers and taxpayers would receive better value for money if the project is delivered through an independent and separately regulated company.

CABINET OFFICE

10 Downing Street: Apprentices

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many apprentices are employed in 10 Downing Street; and how many of those apprentices are female.

Francis Maude: The Prime Minister's Office is an integral part of the Cabinet Office.
	As at 11 December 2013, 30 apprentices were employed in the Cabinet Office of whom 13 were female. This is up from 2009-10 where there were two apprentices.

Charities: Young People

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps he is taking to encourage more young people to be involved with charity.

Nick Hurd: In 2013 we supported the set up of the independent organisation, Step Up To Serve, which aims to enable 50% of young people to be involved in charitable causes by 2020. In parallel, government is running the £5 million Youth Social Action Fund.
	We continue to support 16 to 17-year-olds to volunteer and contribute to their communities through National Citizen Service, Since it began, over 70,000 young people have taken part and have contributed over a million volunteering hours.
	Government is also running a £6 million Youth Social Action Journey fund which will focus on the transition between programmes, to enable young people to move from one volunteering experience to the next.
	Our recently published report, “Encouraging Social Action”, highlights the steps we are undertaking to encourage young people to give their time through National Citizen Service and Step Up To Serve.

Charities: Young People

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps he is taking to encourage charities to appoint more young trustees.

Nick Hurd: Under successive governments, young people have been under-represented on the boards of charities. The Charity Commission, in partnership with charity sector organisations, co-ordinates an annual Trustees' Week to celebrate and promote charity trusteeship. A particular focus of Trustees' Week has been to encourage more young people to take up charity trustee positions. The Charity Commission also produces best practice guidance for charities on trustee recruitment, and detailed guidance on how to involve young people in running a charity.

Government Departments: Procurement

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many Government contracts and of what value have been awarded to companies or projects based in (a) Livingston constituency and (b) West Lothian local authority area since May 2007.

Nick Hurd: This information is not held centrally.
	Since January 2011, as part of the Government's transparency programme, details of contracts above the value of £10,000 are published on Contracts Finder:
	https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder

Government Departments: Telephone Services

Richard Burden: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when he will publish his Department's review of the cross-government use of charges for customer telephone lines.

Nick Hurd: The cross-departmental group, convened by Cabinet Office, is considering the issue of customer telephone lines and will publish cross-departmental guidance on prefix number selection in due course.

Ministers

Ian Lucas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much was spent on ministerial salaries in the last year for which figures are available.

Francis Maude: Information about ministerial salaries is in the public domain in the Ministerial and other Salaries Act 1975 (Amendment) Order 2011. This is available at:
	http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2011/9780111509258/schedule/1

Pay: Middlesbrough

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what change there has been in median gross weekly pay for (a) men and (b) women in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency since 2010.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Peter Fullerton, dated December 2013
	On behalf of the Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what change there has been in median gross weekly pay for (a) men and (b) women in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency since 2010. (180172).
	The Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), carried out in April each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom. Weekly levels of earnings are estimated from ASHE, and are provided for employees on adult rates of pay, whose earnings for the survey pay period were not affected by absence. Figures relate to employee jobs, which are defined as those held by employees and not the self-employed.
	A table follows showing estimates of median gross weekly earnings for male and female employees in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency from 2010 to 2013, the latest period for which results are available. These figures show that there was a 10.1 per cent decrease for men and a 1.5 per cent increase for women in median gross weekly earnings between April 2010 and April 2013.
	
		
			 Median gross weekly earnings (£)for employees1 in Middlesborough South and East Cleveland constituency, 2010 to 2013 
			  Male employees Female employees 
			 2010 **545.5 **326.1 
			 20112 **533.7 **313.2 
			 20113 **533.2 **305.5 
			 2012 **528,2 **291.5 
			 2013 **490.4 **330.9 
			    
			 Percentage change 2010 to 2013 -10.10 1.5 
			 1 Employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence. ASHE is based on a 1% sample of jobs taken from HM Revenue and Customs' Pay As You Earn (PAYE) records. Consequently, individuals with more than one job may appear in the sample more than once. ASHE does not cover the self-employed. 2 2011 results based on Standard Occupational Classification 2000. 3 2011 results based on Standard Occupational Classification 2010. Guide to quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of a figure, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV—for example, for an average of 200 with a CV of 5%, we would expect the population average to be within the range 180 to 220. Key: *** CV > 10% and <=20% x unreliable CV = Coefficient of Variation Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), Office for National Statistics

Public Sector: Fraud

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the cost of fraud to the public sector; and what steps have been taken since May 2010 to tackle such fraud;
	(2)  what savings the Government has achieved by reducing fraud against the public sector since May 2010; and what proportion of total fraud against the public sector do those savings represent;
	(3)  what steps the Government is taking to ensure that its Departments and agencies are able to share confirmed fraud data both with other bodies in the (a) public and (b) private sector.

Francis Maude: Before the last general election there was no effective cross-government work to tackle the enormous losses to the Exchequer from fraud and error, despite losses estimated at around £29.6 billion a year. That's why in 2010, the Prime Minister established a Fraud Taskforce of Ministers and officials from central Government Departments, representatives from local authorities, the National Audit Office and experts from the private sector. The taskforce has since expanded to consider error, debt and grants. The cross-government strategy to reduce public sector fraud was published last year and is available at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/62522/HMG-Fraud-and-Error-Report-Feb-2011-v35.pdf
	Details of fraud losses are published in the Annual Fraud Indicator available at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/206552/nfa-annual-fraud-indicator-2013.pdf
	Losses from fraud, error and uncollected debt still remain far too high. In this autumn statement HMRC and DWP committed to further savings of £2.3 billion.
	This Government has invested significantly in HMRC and DWP to ensure that individuals and businesses of all sizes pay the tax they owe under the law, or claim the correct amount of benefit.
	In 2012-13 we announced fraud and error savings of £6.5 billion. Audited figures for savings to date in 2013-14 are not yet available but will be announced in due course. The Government has announced that it hopes to save £20 billion during the 2014-15 financial year from the work of the Efficiency and Reform Group as well as savings from fraud, error and debt.
	It is not possible to say what proportion these figures represent against total fraud against the public sector. Figures are a mix of additional revenue, detected fraud and prevented losses, with savings accruing over more than one financial year.
	The Counter Fraud Checking Service (CFCS) project, is developing a data matching service which, for the first time, will join up known fraud data across the public and private sector. Piloting began in 2013 and if the pilots are successful Government will review the most appropriate way to develop and implement such a joint service.

Public Sector: Mutual Societies

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether the support of a majority of employees is required for the spinning out of an organisation as an employee-owned or employee-led public service mutual.

Francis Maude: It is up to individual organisations to decide how the mutual should spin out and operate.

Retail Trade: Brigg

Andrew Percy: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people in Brigg and Goole constituency are employed in the retail sector.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Caron Walker, dated December 2013
	On behalf of the Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many people in Brigg and Goole constituency are employed in the retail sector.
	Annual employment statistics are available from the Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES). The latest estimate for the number employed in the retail sector in Brigg and Goole constituency is 3,300 for 2012.
	National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at:
	http://www.nomisweb.co.uk

Senior Civil Servants

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  what the current ethnic make-up is of all staff in the senior civil service;
	(2)  what the gender make-up is of all staff in the senior civil service.

Francis Maude: As at October 2012 a breakdown of the SCS by declared ethnicity is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Senior civil service by ethnicity, 1 October2012 
			 Ethnicity Number Percentage where ethnicity declared 
			 White 3,244 96.0 
			 Mixed 31 0.9 
			 Asian/Asian British 65 1.9 
			 Black/African/Caribbean/Black British 22 0.7 
			 Other Ethnic Group 18 0.5 
			 Not Known/Undeclared 275 - 
			 Total 3,655 - 
			 Source: SCS database, Cabinet Office. 
		
	
	The latest available work force statistics show that, as at October 2012, the gender make up of all staff in the senior civil service comprises 37.4% female and 62.6% male.
	There has been negligible change to declared ethnicity since 2010, and a slight increase to the proportion of women from 35.2% to 37.4%.

Third Sector

John Robertson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent assessment he has made of the Big Society initiative; and whether he had discussions with Civil Exchange on its audit of the Big Society initiative.

Nick Hurd: I welcome Civil Exchange's recognition of our successes around empowering communities and increasing volunteering. Much of the other work on public services the report calls for is already under way with an ambitious programme to open up opportunities to new providers. My officials have already discussed the report with Civil Exchange.

Unemployment: Southwark

Harriet Harman: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  how many unemployed households with children there were in the London Borough of Southwark in (a) 2009, (b) 2010, (c) 2011, (d) 2012 and (e) 2013;
	(2)  how many in-work households with children there were in the London Borough of Southwark in (a) 2009, (b) 2010, (c) 2011, (d) 2012 and (e) 2013.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Peter Fullerton, dated December 2013
	On behalf of the Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions asking the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many unemployed households with children there were in the London Borough of Southwark in (a) 2009, (b) 2010, (c) 2011, (d) 2012 and (e) 2013. (180072) and how many in-work households with children there were in the London Borough of Southwark in (a) 2009, (b) 2010, (c) 2011, (d) 2012 and (e) 2013. (180073)
	It is not possible to provide estimates for unemployed households with children in Southwark due to small sample sizes. However, it is possible to provide estimates for workless households which are households which contain unemployed and inactive individuals. Those who are inactive are not in work, and not looking for work, for reasons such as looking after their family.
	Estimates have been provided for the years 2009 to 2012 for workless and in-work households and they are from the Annual Population Survey (APS) and are not seasonally adjusted. I have also provided information for mixed households, which contain adults both in work and not in work. Data for 2013 is not yet available.
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	All of this information is contained within our annual publication called “Workless households for regions across the UK.” The most recent publication was released on 4th September and provides data on the economic activity status of households across areas of the UK. This publication can be found at:
	http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171778_326396.pdf
	
		
			 Children1 living in households2 in Southwark by combined economic activity status of household members, April to June 2009 to 2012 
			 Not seasonally adjusted 
			 Children by combined economic activity status of household members 
			  Working households3 Mixed households4 Workless households5 
			  Thousand Percentage Thousand Percentage Thousand Percentage 
			 2009 20 35.6 21 38.4 14 26.0 
			 2010 26 43.0 21 33.5 14 23.5 
			 2011 20 37.9 18 32.9 16 29.3 
			 2012 21 37.9 18 32.1 17 30.0 
			 1 Children refers to all children under 16. 2 Households including at least one person aged 16to 64. 3 A working household is a household that contains at least one person aged 16 to 64, where all individuals aged l6 and over are in employment. 4 A mixed household is a household that contains at least one person aged 16 to 64, where at least one person aged 16 and over is in employment and at least one other is either unemployed or inactive. 5 A workless household is a household that contains at least one person aged 16 to 64, where no one aged 16 or over is in employment. Source: Annual Population Survey household datasets.

Universal Credit: Internet

Stephen Timms: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  what the cost to his Department's budget has been of its work on the enhanced online service for universal credit to date; from which budget heading it has been met; and how much further spending he plans on this project from his Department's budget;
	(2)  for how long does he intend that staff in his Department will be engaged on developing the enhanced online digital service for universal credit; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Hurd: The Government Digital Service (GDS) was asked by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr Duncan Smith), to work with DWP colleagues to explore a digital strategic solution for universal credit. This work was completed on 3 October, on time and with minimal budget. The total cost of this work .was around £1,085,000.
	As planned, GDS are now handing this work over to the director general for digital transformation at DWP to take the digital solution forward. GDS will support the DWP in developing digital skills and capability within the Department.

Voluntary Work: Young People

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment he has made of the effect of the National Citizen Service on Peterborough constituency; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Hurd: Over 67 young people took part in National Citizen Service (NCS) in Peterborough in 2013 alone, from over 40,000 individuals who undertook NCS in England and Northern Ireland. The Peterborough cohort gave nearly 13,000 hours, out of total of over 1 million hours of social action. More places will be available in spring, summer and autumn next year.
	NCS is having a profound impact not just on participants, but on wider society. Studies of participants have shown that:
	92% thought NCS gave them chance to develop skills that would be useful in future
	73% feel more confident about getting a job in future having taken part in NCS
	95%o say NCS gave them a chance to know people they wouldn't normally mix with
	NCS offers real value for money; every £1 invested in the programme results in £2.80 in benefits returned to society
	Our one year on follow-up survey of the young people who took part in 2011 indicates that many of these impacts are sustained.

Youth Work: Greater London

Simon Hughes: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans his Department has to (a) support and (b) increase the number of youth workers in Greater London.

Nick Hurd: There is a statutory duty on local authorities to provide services to improve young people's well-being, so far as is reasonably practicable. Guidance was issued by Department for Education in June 2012 to remind them of these responsibilities.
	Cabinet Office took responsibility for Youth Policy from the Department for Education in summer 2013 and one of the first pieces of work undertaken was to issue a national survey to all upper tier local authorities, including those in Greater London, to understand what services and activities youth workers within local authorities the private and voluntary sector currently deliver to young people.
	Cabinet Office will use this data to map youth service activity across the country and understand any gaps in provision.

PRIME MINISTER

China

Bob Blackman: To ask the Prime Minister whether the UK's national action plan on business and human rights was referred to by officials and businesses during his recent visit to China.

Tim Loughton: To ask the Prime Minister whether Government officials and businesses who accompanied him on his recent visit to China used and referred to the UK's national action plan on business and human rights in their work on that visit.

David Cameron: During my visit, I emphasised the UK's belief that the rule of law and political openness underpins long-term economic success. UK Government Ministers will continue to discuss these important issues with their Chinese counterparts.

China

Bob Blackman: To ask the Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had with President Xi Jinping of China on the issue of Tibet; and if he will make a statement.

David Cameron: During my visit I re-affirmed our policy on Tibet as unchanged, and made clear that we understood the sensitivities for China.

China

Bob Blackman: To ask the Prime Minister whether following his recent visit to China any trade deals were signed involving companies doing business in Tibetan areas of China.

Tim Loughton: To ask the Prime Minister what business deals involving conducting business in Tibetan areas were signed during his recent visit to China.

David Cameron: Over £6 billion of deals were made by the business delegation that accompanied me. A number of these involved small and medium sized enterprises. Full information about the trade and investment deals announced is available on the Number 10 website.

China

Bob Blackman: To ask the Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had with President Xi Jinping of China on political prisoners in that country; and if he will make a statement.

David Cameron: I raised concerns about human rights during my visit, and agreed with Premier Li that we would hold the next round of the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue in early 2014. This dialogue is the right place for detailed expert discussion of these issues.
	I also met human rights organisations in China working on issues including disability, sexuality, and equal rights.

China

Tim Loughton: To ask the Prime Minister whether he raised specific political prisoners' cases with the Chinese government in his recent visit to that country.

David Cameron: I raised concerns about human rights during my visit, and agreed with Premier Li that we would hold the next round of the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue in early 2014. As is normal in our on-going engagement with China about human rights, specific concerns were raised. The next round of UK-China Human rights Dialogue will provide an opportunity to explore specific concerns in more detail.

China

Tim Loughton: To ask the Prime Minister which charitable organisations and non-governmental organisations campaigning on human rights issues he met during his recent visit to China.

David Cameron: During my visit I met human rights organisations working on issues including disability, sexuality, and equal rights. Other Ministers in the delegation separately met civil society groups.

China

Luciana Berger: To ask the Prime Minister for what reasons Gordon Johncox, Managing Director of Aston Manor Brewery, was invited to join his recent delegation to China; and what role he played during the visit.

David Cameron: All decisions on the composition of the business delegation were based on recommendations made by UK Trade and Investment. UKTI took a range of factors into account, including location, company size, sector and relevance to the Chinese market.

Members: Codes of Practice

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  whether he plans to refer the alleged breaches of the Ministerial Code by the right hon. Member for Chipping Barnet contained within the hon. Member for St Albans' letter of 10 September 2013 to the Independent Adviser on the Ministerial Code;
	(2)  whether the Cabinet Secretary is conducting an investigation into the hon. Member for St Albans' letter of 10 September 2013 alleging breaches of the Ministerial Code by the right hon. Member for Chipping Barnet;
	(3)  when the Cabinet Secretary will reply to the hon. Member for St Albans' letter of 10 September 2013 alleging breaches of the Ministerial Code by the right hon. Member for Chipping Barnet.

David Cameron: The Cabinet Secretary will respond to my hon. Friend the Member for St Albans (Mrs Main) shortly.

EDUCATION

Academies

Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  what proportion of primary schools in (a) Corby constituency and (b) the east of England have converted to academy status in the last 12 months;
	(2)  what proportion of secondary schools in (a) Corby constituency, (b) the east midlands and (c) the east of England have converted to academy status in the last 12 months.

Edward Timpson: The information requested is provided in the following tables:
	
		
			 Area Number of primary schools converted to academy status in previous 12 months Percentage of all state funded primary schools converted to academy status in previous 12 months Total number of primary academies Percentage of state funded primary schools open as academies 
			 Corby 7 17 10 24 
			 East of England 91 5 193 10 
		
	
	
		
			 Area Number of secondary schools converted to academy status in previous 12 months Percentage of all state funded secondary schools converted to academy status in previous 12 months Total number of secondary academies Percentage of state funded secondary schools open as academies 
			 Corby 2 20 6 60 
			 East of England 33 8 266 66 
			 East Midlands 23 8 196 67

Academies: Cannock Chase

Aidan Burley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the (a) take-up of places in and (b) performance of academies in Cannock Chase constituency.

Edward Timpson: Analysis of figures for 2012/13 show that of the places planned by the four academies in the Cannock Chase constituency (Cannock Chase, Fair Oak, Hagley Park, Staffordshire University Academy) an average of 98% have been taken up. The academies in question are planning for, and meeting, local demand.
	The Department monitors the performance of all open academies, with a particular focus on those that are below the floor standard, have an inadequate Ofsted judgment, or are determined to be at risk of falling below the floor standard. There are four academies in Cannock Chase constituency that have one year of performance data that is in the public domain—Cannock Chase High School, Fair Oak Academy, Hagley Park Academy, and Staffordshire University Academy. None of these academies are currently below the national floor standard for secondary schools. The academies in question are not underperforming educationally.

Alternative Education: Armed Forces

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what activities military ethos programmes in alternative provision consist of; and whether pupils can choose not to participate.

David Laws: Military Ethos in Alternative Provision programmes consist of the following:
	1. one-to-one mentoring to help address potential behaviour issues and keep pupils committed to their education;
	2. military-style obstacle courses to engage and motivate hard-to-reach pupils and help them understand how to transfer the elements which helped them succeed into the classroom;
	3. a mix of indoor and outdoor team-building exercises with an educational focus to encourage discipline, leadership, teamwork and good behaviour; working with schools and other agencies to re-integrate pupils who are not in education, employment or training and prepare them for post-16 course or job, and;
	4. helping primary school children in their transition to secondary school through building their self-confidence.
	It is for schools to decide whether and how to engage with providers and it is up to pupils to decide whether or not they wish to participate.

Buildings

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of his Department's maintenance budget was unspent in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13.

David Laws: The Department's capital maintenance budget is either devolved to local authorities and schools for local prioritisation or allocated through a bidding process to specific projects put forward by academies and sixth form colleges.
	In 2010-11, there was no underspend against the capital maintenance budget of £1 billion. In 2011-12, against the capital maintenance budget of £1.4 billion there was an underspend of £211,645. For 2012-13, against the capital maintenance budget of £1.4 billion there was an underspend of £356,413. These underspends were the result of slippage in the delivery of a small number of sixth form college maintenance projects.

Children: Social Services

Stephen McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much children's social work departments spent on agency workers in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13.

Edward Timpson: The Department for Education does not hold this information. We are collecting data on the children's social work workforce, including the percentage of agency staff employed by local authorities, and will make that available from March 2014.

Children: Sports

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many children under 16 years of age are part of a sport or exercise club in (a) Ribble Valley constituency, (b) Lancashire and (c) the UK.

Edward Timpson: The Government do not hold the data requested at constituency, county or national level. However, the Taking Part survey collects data on children taking part in competitive sport and, within that, club membership.
	In the last survey data published in August 2013, 78.6% of pupils in England had played competitive sport in school in the last 12 months. Of those aged 11 to 15, 31% had been a member of a club that plays sport in school. Outside school hours, 37.1% of children had played competitive sport in the last 12 months. Of that figure, 26.5% of five to 15-year-olds had been a member of a club that plays sport.

Disability: Children

Mike Thornton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what arrangements local authorities and their partner commissioning bodies in England are making to ensure adequate education, health and social care provision for disabled children who are not eligible for education, health and care plans once the Children's and Families Bill becomes law.

Edward Timpson: The Children and Families Bill makes provision for local authorities and their partner clinical commissioning groups to make joint commissioning arrangements for the education, health and social care provision to be secured for children and young people with special educational needs, whether or not they have education, health and care plans.
	On 11 December, the Government tabled amendments to the Children and Families Bill, currently being considered by the House of Lords, to extend the joint commissioning provisions and other key elements of the Bill to include disabled children and young people without special educational needs. This will help to ensure improvements in the planning, commissioning and reviewing of provision for all children and young people who are disabled or have special educational needs when, subject to Parliament, the Bill becomes law.

Education: Assessments

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if his Department will make an assessment of how the position of England in the recent PISA results tables, published on 3 December 2013 by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, would have differed if the rest of England performed at the same level as the Trafford local education authority area.

David Laws: We do not have Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) results at local authority level as sample sizes are too small, therefore such an assessment is not possible.

Free Schools

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will publish the records of monitoring visits to all Free Schools opened since May 2010.

Edward Timpson: Free schools are inspected, like all new schools, by the end of their second year of opening, although the inspection can be brought forward if necessary. These reports are published in the usual way, on Ofsted's website. We have no plans to publish records of monitoring visits by Education Advisers.

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what funding his Department provides to advertise marriage and relationship support courses; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Timpson: The Government has committed £30 million to funding relationship support services between 2011 and 2015. A number of expert providers in the voluntary and community sector have contracts and grants to deliver a range of services, including preventative support targeted at couples at risk of family breakdown; counselling for couples who may be experiencing difficulties; and activities to encourage the take up of relationship support. This includes a £2.7 million contract to deliver campaigns aimed at employers, new parents and young people to raise awareness and normalise the seeking of help.
	In the financial years 2013-14 and 2014-15, the Department for Education has allocated a total of £37,000 specifically on communication and marketing costs under the current contracts and grants for relationship support services.
	In awarding contracts and grants, the Department asked providers to consider no cost and low cost approaches to communication in their proposals with an emphasis on utilising all existing communications channels.

Politics: Education

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many children are studying politics at AS and A Level in (a) Ribble Valley constituency, (b) Lancashire and (c) the UK.

Elizabeth Truss: The requested information for the number of pupils studying Government and Politics at A level has been provided in the table. AS level figures can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The Department for Education produces statistics on England only. The responsibility for education statistics in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales lies with each devolved Administration.
	
		
			 GCE A level results1 of students aged 16 to 182, year: 2012/13 (provisional), coverage: England, Lancashire local authority and Ribble Valley parliamentary constituency 
			  Number of students entered for Government and Politics 
			 Ribble Valley3 48 
			 Lancashire3 163 
			 England4 12,891 
			 1 Includes A levels only. 2 Age in years at the start of the academic year, i.e. 31 August. 3 Excludes independent schools. . 4 England figure includes all schools and FE colleges. Note: Where qualifications taken by a student are in the same subject area and similar in content ‘discounting' rules have been applied to avoid double counting qualifications. Source: 2012/13 key stage 5 attainment data (provisional)

Pupil Exclusions

Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many pupils have been permanently excluded from schools in (a) Corby constituency, (b) the East of England, (c) the East Midlands and (d) England in each of the last five years.

Elizabeth Truss: Information on permanent exclusions in Corby constituency, east midlands, east of England and England is shown in the following tables:
	
		
			 State-funded primary, state-funded secondary schools and special schools1,2,3,4: Number of permanent exclusions5 2007-08 to 2011-12, England, east of England, east midlands and Corby constituency 
			  2007-08 
			  State-funded primary1 State-funded secondary1,3 Special4 Total1,2,3,4 
			  No. of permanent exclusions % of the school population6 No. of permanent exclusions % of the school population6 No. of permanent exclusions % of the school population6 No. of permanent exclusions % of the school population6 
			 England 960 0.02 7,000 0.21 170 0.19 8,130 0.11 
			          
			 East of England 80 0.02 690 0.18 30 0.32 800 0.10 
			          
			 East midlands 100 0.03 640 0.22 10 0.13 750 0.11 
			          
			 Corby constituency x x 6 0.07 0 0.00 10 0.04 
		
	
	
		
			  2008-09 
			  State-funded primary1 State-funded secondary1,3 Special4 Total1,2,3,4 
			  No. of permanent exclusions % of the school population6 No. of permanent exclusions % of the school population6 No. of permanent exclusions % of the school population6 No. of permanent exclusions % of the school population6 
			 England 720 0.02 5,700 0.17 120 0.13 6,550 0.09 
			          
			 East of England 50 0.01 510 0.13 10 0.16 580 0.07 
			          
			 East midlands 100 0.03 600 0.20 10 0.12 700 0.11 
			          
			 Corby constituency x x 22 0.26 x x 30 0.16 
		
	
	
		
			  2009-10 
			  State-funded primary1 State-funded secondary1,3 Special4 Total1,2,3,4 
			  No. of permanent exclusions % of the school population6 No. of permanent exclusions % of the school population6 No. of permanent exclusions % of the school population6 No. of permanent exclusions % of the school population6 
			 England 620 0.02 5,020 0.15 100 0.11 5,740 0.08 
			          
			 East of England 60 0.01 450 0.12 10 0.10 520 0.06 
			          
			 East midlands 90 0.03 570 0.19 10 0.07 660 0.10 
			          
			 Corby constituency 5 0.06 19 0.22 0 0.00 20 0.14 
		
	
	
		
			  2010-11 
			  State-funded primary1 State-funded secondary1,3 Special4 Total1,2,3,4 
			  No. of permanent exclusions % of the school population6 No. of permanent exclusions % of the school population6 No. of permanent exclusions % of the school population6 No. of permanent exclusions % of the school population6 
			 England 610 0.01 4,370 0.13 110 0.12 5,080 0.07 
			          
			 East of England 40 0.01 450 0.12 10 0.12 500 0.06 
			          
			 East midlands 110 0.03 500 0.17 10 0.07 620 0.10 
			          
			 Corby constituency x x 18 0.21 0 0.00 20 0.11 
		
	
	
		
			  2011-12 
			  State-funded primary1 State-funded secondary1,3 Special4 Total1,2,3,4 
			  No. of permanent exclusions % of the school population6 No. of permanent exclusions % of the school population6 No. of permanent exclusions % of the school population6 No. of permanent exclusions % of the school population6 
			 England 690 0.02 4,390 0.14 80 0.09 5,170 0.07 
			          
		
	
	
		
			 East of England 70 0.02 490 0.13 10 0.10 570 0.07 
			          
			 East midlands 110 0.03 440 0.15 10 0.07 550 0.09 
			          
			 Corby constituency x x 14 0.17 x x 20 0.10 
			 1 Includes middle schools as deemed. 2 Includes primary academies. 3 Includes city technology colleges and secondary academies (including all-through academies). 4 Includes maintained special schools, non-maintained special schools and special academies. Excludes general hospital schools. 5 Figures for England, east of England and east midlands for the years 2007-08 to 2009-10 are estimates based on incomplete pupil-level data. Constituency figures are as reported by schools. 6 The number of permanent exclusions expressed as a percentage of the number (headcount) of pupils (excluding dually registered pupils) as at January each year. Notes: 1. ‘x’ less than five, or a percentage based on less than five. 2. National, regional and total figures may not appear to equal the sum of component parts because numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Source: School Census

Pupils: Per Capita Costs

Robin Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how any gap in per pupil funding between the highest and the lowest funded authorities has changed in the last 15 years.

David Laws: Per pupil funding figures for the highest and lowest funded local authorities (LAs) from financial years 1997 to 2014, and the difference between those figures, are shown in the following tables.
	Figures for financial years 1997 to 2006 are shown below:
	
		
			 Per pupil funding to LAs 
			 £ 
			  1997-98 1998-99 1999-2000 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 
			 Maximum 3,555 3,720 4,151 4,536 4,960 5,283 5,702 6,050 6,535 
			 Minimum 2,073 2,232 2,400 2,611 2,780 2,925 3,132 3,343 3,566 
			 Difference 1,483 1,487 1,752 1,924 2,181 2,359 2,570 2,707 2,969 
			 Note: Per pupil figures are in cash terms using standard spending assessment (SSA)/education formula share (EFS) allocations and pupils aged 3-15 and exclude City of London and Isles of Scilly. 
		
	
	With the introduction of the dedicated schools grant (DSG) in 2006-07, the changes to the funding mechanism meant figures were no longer comparable with previous years.
	The 1997-98 to 2005-06 figures are based on EFS which formed the education part of the local government finance settlement, plus various grants. This was an assessment of what local authorities needed to fund education rather than what they spent. The DSG is based largely on an authority's previous spending. In addition, the DSG has a different coverage to EFS. EFS comprised a schools block and a local education authority (LEA) block (to cover LEA central functions) whereas DSG only covers the EFS school block. LEA block items are still funded through DCLG's local government finance settlement but education items cannot be separately identified. Consequently, there is a break in the Department's time series as the two sets of data are not comparable.
	To provide a comparison for 2006-07 DSG, the Department has isolated the EFS school block equivalent funding in 2005-06; as described above this does not represent the totality of “education” funding in that year.
	Figures for financial years 2005 to 2013 are shown below:
	
		
			 Per pupil funding to LAs 
			 £ 
			  2005-061 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 
			 Maximum 6,183 6,671 7,122 7,422 7,688 8,123 8,052 8,052 
			 Minimum 3,447 3,630 3,871 4,093 4,277 4,490 4,429 4,429 
			 Difference 2,736 3,041 3,251 3,328 3,411 3,633 3,623 3,623 
			 1 Baseline. Note: Per pupil figures are in cash terms using DSG allocations plus other schools related grants, e.g. school standards grant, school standards grant (personalisation), standards fund etc. and pupils aged 3-15 and exclude City of London and Isles of Scilly. Most of the additional grants were mainstreamed into DSG in 2011-12. 
		
	
	With the changes to DSG funding in financial year 2013 to 2014, i.e. funding allocated through three blocks, namely schools, early years and high needs, there is no longer a comparable overall figure with previous years. The following table shows the highest and lowest DSG schools block unit funding figures in cash terms and the difference between them.
	
		
			 DSG schools block per pupil funding to LAs, 2013-14 
			  £ 
			 Maximum 7,014 
			 Minimum 3,950 
			 Difference 3,064

Pupils: Per Capita Costs

Robin Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education which school in England receives the (a) lowest and (b) highest amount of funding per pupil.

David Laws: Per pupil funding figures for the highest and lowest funded schools in financial year 2013 to 2014 are shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Highest and lowest funded schools (schools block post MFG) in 2013-14 
			 Local authority name LAESTAB School name Total number of pupils Allocation per pupil (£) 
			 Norfolk 9263401 St Thomas More RC VA Junior School 325 1,434 
			 Northumberland 9293447 Holy Island CE First School 4 29,000 
		
	
	Per pupil figures are taken from the published 2013-14 schools block budget allocations1.
	In financial year 2013-14, schools and academies are funded using a maximum of 12 clearly defined factors. All schools and academies in a local authority are funded according to the same formula.
	St. Thomas More RC VA Junior School has a particularly low allocation per pupil as it closed during the year on 31 August 2013, so will only have received a proportion of their full-year funding.
	Holy Island CE First School has a high allocation per pupil as it is a small school with very few pupils. Holy Island has a tidal causeway, so if there was not a school on the island the children would need to board. In this situation, the lump sum they received, which does not depend on the number of pupils attending, constitutes a large proportion of their schools block formula allocation, and so their per-pupil funding level is high as a result.
	1 Available at:
	http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/xlsx/s/schools%20block%20data%20file.xlsx

Pupils: Per Capita Costs

Robin Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education which schools in England with at least 100 pupils received the (a) lowest and (b) highest amount of funding per pupil in the latest year for which figures are available.

David Laws: Per pupil funding figures for the highest and lowest funded schools in financial year 2013-14 for those with at least 100 pupils are shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Highest and lowest funded schools with at least 100 pupils (Schools Block post MFG) in 2013-14 
			 Local authority name LAESTAB number School name Total number of pupils Allocation per pupil (£) 
			 Norfolk 9263401 St. Thomas More RC VA Junior School 325 1,434 
			 Lancashire 8884802 Hameldon Community College 337 10,917 
		
	
	Per pupil figures are taken from the published 2013-14 schools block budget allocations1.
	In financial year 2013-14, schools and academies are funded using a maximum of 12 clearly, defined factors. All schools and academies in a local authority are funded according to the same formula.
	St Thomas More RC VA Junior School has a particularly low allocation per pupil as it closed during the year on 31 August 2013, so will only have received a proportion of their full-year funding.
	Hameldon Community College has a particularly high per pupil allocation as a large proportion of this is due to a significant amount of private finance initiative (PFI) money in its budget.
	1 Available at:
	http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/xlsx/s/schools%20block%20data%20file.xlsx

Pupils: Per Capita Costs

Peter Aldous: To ask the Secretary of State for Education in which local education authority in England average per pupil funding is the (a) highest and (b) lowest.

David Laws: Per pupil funding figures for the highest and lowest funded local authorities (LAs) in financial year 2013-14 are shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Dedicated schools grant (DSG) schools block per pupil funding to LAs, 2013-14 
			  £ 
			 Highest—Tower Hamlets 7,014 
			 Lowest—Cambridgeshire 3,950 
		
	
	Per pupil figures are taken form the DSG schools block unit of funding and exclude City of London.

Schools: Admissions

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of the number of (a) primary and (b) secondary school places needed by 2020 in (i) England, (ii) Greater London and (iii) the London borough of Southwark.

David Laws: The Department collects information about current school capacity and future pupil numbers in every local authority area, and uses this to estimate the number of new places that will be needed. The most recent published survey data relates to the position at May 2012, and includes forecasts of primary pupil numbers to 2016/17, and secondary pupil numbers to 2018/19. The data is available online at:
	www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-capacity-academic-year-2011-to-2012
	and we expect to publish updated data shortly.
	The Department publishes national projections about pupil numbers—these provide a longer-term estimate of population growth, but do not reflect the need for new places. The latest assessment was published on 12 December 2013 and includes projections to 2020, available at:
	www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-pupil-projections-future-trends-in-pupil-numbers-december-2013

Skillforce

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of pupils in mentoring schemes provided by Skillforce progressed into (a) further education, (b) a civil apprenticeship, (c) the armed forces and (d) other employment for each year the scheme has been available.

David Laws: The Military Ethos Alternative Provision projects formally began in 2011/12. SkillForce have reported that in 2011/12, out of a cohort of 839 young people (32% of whom were deemed at high risk of exclusion and 34% were eligible for free school meals): 72% went into Further Education; 5% went into employment; 4% went into civil apprenticeships; 2% went into training; 1% went into the Army or Royal Navy; and 15% have an unknown destination.
	Figures for 2012/13 are due to be published in early 2014.

Special Educational Needs

Stephen McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the effect of changes in public sector spending on services for children with special educational needs.

Edward Timpson: The Department for Education has ensured that all local authorities have as much funding for special educational needs (SEN) this year as they had last year. The high needs block of the Dedicated Schools Grant in 2013-14 was £4.965 million, which covers high needs pupils both pre and post-16 in England. Allocations were based on local authority planned expenditure in 2012-13 so there is no cash reduction.
	The results of our Planned Local Authority Expenditure Survey for 2013-14 were published in a Statistical First Release on 24 September 2013 and it shows that local authorities are spending no less this year on SEN services than they spent last year:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/planned-expenditure-on-schools-education-children-and-young-peoples-services-by-local-authorities-financial-year-2013-to-2014

Teachers: Industrial Disputes

Peter Aldous: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many school days were lost in England this year due to strike action in the last year for which figures are available.

David Laws: The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publish monthly Labour Market Statistics covering labour disputes in the UK. These include the number of working days lost to labour disputes each month for the UK-wide education sector (including schools, post-16 provision and universities). Data are not published for schools in England only.
	According to the ONS figures, 27,600 working days were lost to labour disputes in the UK-wide education sector between October 2012 and September 2013. These are the latest available figures. Figures for October 2013 will be published on 18 December 2013.

Teachers: Training

Nicholas Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many schools relinquished School Direct places which had been allocated to them in 2012-13 for training commencing in 2013-14; and to which primary phase or secondary subject each such place related.

David Laws: For 2013/14, the National College for Teaching and Leadership did not require School Direct lead schools that had been allocated new entrant places to relinquish those places they did not expect to fill.
	Lead schools were allowed to change their cohorts, either to move places to other subjects and routes, request new places or relinquish the places. From the initial allocation of places on 2 November until 31 July 2013, the net change in places for School Direct was an increase of 15 primary places and 130 secondary places.
	We deliberately over-allocate places to ensure we train enough teachers. The allocation number is not a target and should not be regarded as one.

Teachers: Training

Nicholas Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether a Teach First trainee who is recruited to focus on mathematics can switch subject specialism after two years.

David Laws: Qualified teachers, including those who trained with Teach First, can be employed to teach any subject or phase. It is the responsibility of headteachers to decide how teachers are deployed, based on individuals' knowledge, skills and experience.

Teachers: Training

Nicholas Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether it is possible for a school to bid for and be allocated to a School Direct place for a physics trainee teacher without having a trained physics teacher as a member of staff.

David Laws: It is not a criterion for initial teacher training (ITT) allocations that there must be a particular type of teacher employed in a School Direct lead school.
	The criteria for School Direct allocations1 stipulate that
	‘partnerships must satisfy themselves that schools have the capacity to undertake their responsibilities'.
	ITT is inspected against the relevant Ofsted framework2, which includes the criterion that trainees should benefit from subject and phase specific mentoring by experienced and expert mentors. A trainee in a School Direct school without a trained physics teacher could receive such training and mentoring from the lead school in the partnership, from another school within the partnership or from the accredited ITT provider.
	1https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/210975/School_Direct_allocations_methodology_2014_to_2015.pdf
	2http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/initial-teacher-education-inspection-handbook

Teachers: Training

Nicholas Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many School Direct numbers were requested by school clusters by (a) primary phase and (b) secondary subject (i) nationally and (ii) by English region; and how many places were allocated by the National College of Teaching and Leadership to those school clusters in the 2014-15 allocations.

David Laws: The National College for Teaching and Leadership did not ask School Direct lead schools to identify the number of schools in their partnership for 2014/15.
	At the point of registration for School Direct, around 90% of lead schools estimated their school partnership size. Of these, 96% of the School Direct places allocated were to lead schools who had indicated a partnership size of two or more schools.

Teachers: Training

Nicholas Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education on what basis his Department agreed the allocations of teacher education places in 2014-15 by the National College of Teaching and Leadership to meet the future need for primary and secondary subject teachers.

David Laws: We do not assume that all trainees will complete their training successfully and/or teach immediately in a state school, and that is built into our estimates of the number of trainees required.
	This year, as in previous years, we have over-allocated initial teacher training (ITT) places above the number of trainees required by our estimates. This helps us to ensure we train enough teachers, taking account of the likely level of recruitment in each subject. The allocation number is not a target and should not be regarded as one. If it is not reached, that does not mean that there will be a shortage in teachers.
	The degree of over-allocation varies by subject and takes account of recruitment performance in previous years. The exception to this is mathematics and physics—eligible lead schools and ITT providers can recruit any number of trainees to help address the historic shortfalls over decades in these priority subjects.

Teachers: Training

Nicholas Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many teacher education places the National College of Teaching and Leadership has estimated are required by secondary subject and primary phase in each English region in 2014-15.

David Laws: The Department for Education estimates the number of teacher trainees by subject on a national basis. These are not broken down by region.
	Regional impact was considered in the allocation process for initial teacher training places for 2014/15 on the basis of change against previous years. Recruitment across regions and subjects is monitored throughout the recruitment cycle, and informs the activities of the National College for Teaching and Leadership.

Teachers: Training

Nicholas Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education for what reason the National College of Teaching and Leadership has allocated more teacher education places than estimated need in 2014-15 for secondary subject and primary phase.

David Laws: This year, as in previous years, we have over-allocated initial teacher training (ITT) places above the number of trainees required by our estimates. This helps us to ensure we train enough teachers, taking account of the likely level of recruitment in each subject. The allocation number is not a target and should not be regarded as one. If it is not reached, that does not mean that there will be a shortage in teachers.
	The degree of over-allocation varies by subject and takes account of recruitment performance in previous years.
	The exception to this is mathematics and physics—eligible lead schools and ITT providers can request any number of places to help address the historic shortfalls over decades in these priority subjects.

DEFENCE

Reserve Forces

Pat Glass: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans to publish the most recent recruitment figures for the reserve forces.

Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent progress he has made on recruitment to the reserves.

Philip Hammond: Personnel figures for the Reserves are included in the Defence Statistics' Quarterly Personnel Report, the most recent of which was published on 14 November. This included, for the first time ever, information on those joining the Reserves. The next report, with data up to 31 December, is expected to be published in mid-February 2014.

Defence Estate

Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress he has made on rationalising the defence estate.

Andrew Murrison: The Ministry of Defence is continuing to make good progress on rationalising the Defence estate. In financial year 2012-13 we sold estate worth £139 million that was surplus to Defence requirements.
	The MOD has an ongoing programme to develop its footprint strategy, which will drive further rationalisation of the Defence estate. Phase one—the Army Basing Plan—was announced in March and work is continuing on Phase two which seeks further optimisation of the Defence estate.

Armed Forces Covenant

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much funding from LIBOR fines has been distributed to military charities to support the Armed Forces Covenant to date.

Anna Soubry: The Chancellor of the Exchequer allocated an initial £35 million from fines levied on banks for attempting to manipulate the LIBOR interest rate to the Covenant Reference Group, to fund projects supporting the armed forces community. He recently announced that additional LIBOR funding will be made available to the Covenant totalling £10 million per year in perpetuity from financial year 2015-16.
	There have been three tranches of bids for funding from the £35 million LIBOR monies and some £34.8 million has been distributed. Of this some £26.8 million went to service charities, a further £5.1 million to bids from Service organisations and £2.9 million to other charities and benevolent organisations. This initial LIBOR fund is now closed with no further tranches for bids planned.

Army: Training

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many soldiers were injured in Phase 1 and Phase 2 training in each quarter of 2012 and 2013; and how many of those soldiers were using the Pay to Dine system.

Anna Soubry: The number of injury incidents involving trainee soldiers in Phase 1 and 2 training in 2012 and 2013 is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Training formation  January to March April to June July to September October to December 
			 Initial Training Group 2012 103 152 144 146 
			 School of Infantry 2012 69 60 68 76 
			       
			 Initial Training Group 2013 145 150 85 85 
			 School of Infantry 2013 77 49 73 108 
		
	
	The figures for Initial Training Group show Phase 1 recruits only. The totals include any reported injury, irrespective of level of seriousness.
	No Phase 1 or Infantry Phase 2 recruits are on the ‘Pay As You Dine’ system. All Phase 1 and 2 recruits are provided with three nutritionally-balanced meals per day. Phase 1 recruits may receive a ‘fourth meal’ supplement during training to provide the additional calorific intake they require during that period.

Army: Training

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports he has received suggesting that a significant proportion of soldiers injured during training were undernourished as a result of the introduction of the Pay to Dine system.

Anna Soubry: The Ministry of Defence has no evidence to support the claim that soldiers are undernourished as a result of the Pay As You Dine system. Nutrition is fundamental to military personnel's physical capability. We strive to ensure that our catering, including that provided through Pay As You Dine, delivers the required quality of service, and that healthy food choices are offered to provide the required calorific and nutritional intake for our soldiers. Soldiers undergoing Phase 1 training and those in Infantry Phase 2 training are not on the Pay As You Dine system.

Central African Republic

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) assets and (b) personnel have been provided to operations in the Central African Republic; and for how long they will be operating in that theatre.

Mark Francois: I refer the hon. Member to the written statement made by the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) on 9 December 2013, Official Report, column 1WS.
	Following adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2127 and the launch by France of operation Sangaris, the UK has provided two RAF C-17 flights to move French equipment to the Central African Republic. A further flight is planned before mid-to-late December.
	A small number of UK military personnel are embarked onboard the C-17 aircraft to provide logistical and operational support. These personnel consist of the C-17 aircrew, an air movements team, supported by an air transport security team and force protection personnel. None of these personnel will remain in the Central African Republic.

Crimean War

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what responsibility the Commonwealth War Graves Commission has for Crimean War graves in (a) Turkey and (b) Ukraine;
	(2)  what responsibility the Commonwealth War Graves Commission has for Baltic campaign war graves in the Baltic region.

Anna Soubry: The Commonwealth War Graves Commission was established in 1917 and is funded to provide a permanent official commemoration for those who died in the two world wars and associated conflicts (4 August 1914 to 31 August 1921 and 3 September 1939 to 31 December 1947). This includes graves of British personnel who gave their lives during the British campaign in the Baltic during 1918-19.
	Before the first world war and during the inter world war years, the burying of the deceased was traditionally a function of the Ship, Regiment or Unit to which they belonged or of the individual's family. No formal assistance was offered by the then Admiralty, War Office or Air Ministry and over the succeeding years, only a limited number of such graves have been maintained by the Ministry of Defence. These are usually in a military cemetery funded by the Ministry of Defence where failure to maintain all of the graves to the same standard would detract from the overall appearance of the cemetery.

Crimean War

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance his Department is planning to give to support the building of memorials in Ukraine to commemorate the UK's casualties in the Crimean War.

Anna Soubry: The Defence Attaché and British embassy in Kyiv are continuing to work with the Ukrainian Government, and the Crimean War Memorial Appeal, to erect a new memorial near the village of Dergachi. This privately funded memorial is intended to become the main focus of commemoration for British visitors, with the current memorial site at Cathcart Hill being simplified to become a place for quiet contemplation.
	It has been a long standing policy of successive Governments that the cost of erecting memorials and associated projects is not usually met from public funds, but from private donations or public subscription. Responsibility for the design, location, maintenance, protection and any decision about what a memorial commemorates rests with the owner, or the organisation in which ownership is vested.

Defence: Procurement

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on the Government-owned contractor-operated tender process to date.

Philip Dunne: We have spent £7.4 million on supporting our work on the GOCO option. That investment has allowed us to understand better the challenges we need to meet to make a GOCO work and the outputs will be retained to inform any future competition.

HMS Victory

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will delay any decision on the future excavation of HMS Victory 1744 until the Marine Management Organisation has completed and reported publicly on its investigation into Odyssey’s conduct on the wreck site.

Anna Soubry: No.

Land

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects a legal agreement between his Department and Taylor Wimpey plc to be signed in respect of the discharge of rain water from the new housing estate on former Ministry of Defence (MOD) land off Berechurch Hall Road, Colchester, into Friday Wood Brook watercourse through MOD land; what the reasons are for the time taken to conclude such an agreement; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Murrison: Work is ongoing toward a legal agreement between Taylor Wimpey plc and the Ministry of Defence. Changes from what was originally proposed have required additional investigations to be undertaken. Once these are complete, then the agreement may progress to completion.

Military Bases: Yorkshire and the Humber

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the findings of the studies carried out in 2010 into moving the headquarters of 15 Brigade from Imphal Barracks, York to (a) Bourlon Barracks, Catterick and (b) Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Strensall were on the (i) feasibility and (ii) cost of moving the headquarters; what estimate he made of how many staff Catterick and Strensall could accommodate; for what reasons it was decided not to move the headquarters; and if he will place a copy of these studies in the Library.

Andrew Murrison: The work to examine and implement the rationalisation of the Army’s non-deployable regional brigade and divisional structure was undertaken as part of Project Avanti. The project reported in 2011 and the outcomes were included in the Defence transformation statement of 18 July 2011, Official Report, columns 66-70WS.
	The option to relocate headquarters 15 Brigade to Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Strensall was ruled out at an early stage in the project on space and capacity grounds. The possibility of moving the headquarters to Bourlon Barracks, Catterick and merging with Catterick Garrison headquarters was explored in more detail to establish whether such a merger could result in efficiencies. However, it was determined that there was no existing suitable office accommodation available at that time and the cost of converting other accommodation was not commensurate with the savings we could achieve. This option was therefore not developed any further.
	I am happy to consider placing a copy of the Avanti report in the Library of the House. A review of the information requested is being conducted with regard to its suitability for release. I will write to the hon. Member shortly, once this assessment is complete.

Military Bases: Yorkshire and the Humber

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many staff based at 15 Brigade Headquarters he expects (a) to move to Catterick and (b) to be made redundant as a result of the establishment of the new Adaptive Force Brigade Headquarters at Catterick; and what estimate was made of the removal expenses, travel and subsistence, redundancy payments, early retirement payments and other personnel costs associated with the move;
	(2)  how many staff in the new Adaptive Force Brigade Headquarters in Yorkshire will transfer from 15 Brigade Headquarters, and how many from 4 Mechanised Brigade Headquarters; how many staff in the new Brigade Headquarters will work on (a) Firm Base functions hitherto undertaken by 15 Brigade and (b) Adaptive Force functions; and what assessment he has made of the feasibility of basing the Brigadier and his Firm Base staff in York and the Brigadier's Adaptive Force staff in Catterick.

Anna Soubry: Under Army 2020, Headquarters 15 (North East) Brigade will merge with Headquarters 4 Mechanised Brigade by 1 December 2014 to form Headquarters 4 Infantry Brigade and Headquarters North East, based in Catterick.
	This new, Adaptable Force Infantry Brigade, has been designed as a single Headquarters, capable of delivering both regional command and wider responsibilities. As such, all staff in the Headquarters will contribute to the full spectrum of responsibilities covering both Firm Base and Adaptive Force functions. No assessment has been made of the feasibility of splitting these Headquarters functions between York and Catterick as to do so would be less efficient, and contrary to the Army 2020 model.
	The work to map the posts in the current Headquarters 15 (North East) Brigade and Headquarters 4 Mechanised Brigade into the future Headquarters 4 Infantry Brigade and Headquarters North East is still ongoing. It is therefore too soon to assess how many posts, both civilian and military, will map into the new structures or to estimate any associated costs.

Military Bases: Yorkshire and the Humber

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost of providing IT systems for the new Adaptive Force Brigade Headquarters in Yorkshire of the Headquarters being based at (a) Imphal Barracks, York, (b) Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Strensall and (c) Bourlon Barracks, Catterick.

Philip Dunne: Peronne Barracks, Catterick has been selected as the future home of Headquarters 4 Infantry Brigade and Headquarters North East, which will be the Adaptive Force Brigade Headquarters in Yorkshire under Army 2020.
	No estimate of cost has been made for providing IT systems for this Brigade Headquarters at Imphal Barracks, York, Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Strensall or Bourlon Barracks, Catterick.

Military Bases: Yorkshire and the Humber

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role the new Yorkshire-based Adaptive Force Brigade Headquarters will play in managing the recruitment of reservists.

Anna Soubry: There will be no change to the role provided by the existing Headquarters 15 (North East) Brigade as it merges with Headquarters 4 Mechanised Brigade to become Headquarters 4 Infantry Brigade and Headquarters North East. The new headquarters will continue to support the recruiting effort by raising awareness of the Army Reserve through various activities, and by providing personnel and equipment to recruiting events when required.

Military Bases: Yorkshire and the Humber

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost of providing suitable premises for the new Adaptive Force Brigade Headquarters at (a) Imphal Barracks, York, (b) Strensall Barracks, York and (c) Catterick Garrison.

Andrew Murrison: It is currently too early to say what the cost will be of providing suitable premises for the new Adaptive Force Brigade Headquarters.
	The Defence Infrastructure Organisation is working with the Army to refine the requirement. DIO assessment studies will conclude this month. The findings will then be analysed, and recommendations on costs and infrastructure solutions will be produced in early 2014.
	The programme hopes to present a business case to initial gate in February/March 2014, so we will be able to share the firm cost estimates at that time.

Military Bases: Yorkshire and the Humber

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what responsibility 15 Brigade has for planning and co-ordinating resilience operations in response to floods, major weather events, major fires and other civil emergencies; and what assessment he has made on the future effectiveness of civil-military co-operation of the establishment of the Army's new Adaptive Force Brigade Headquarters in (a) Catterick and (b)  York.

Mark Francois: Headquarters 15 (North East) Brigade is one of 10 regional brigade headquarters which provide a network of command centres across the UK. These command centres can be used to co-ordinate military activity in support of civil emergency organisations if tasked to do so.
	Under Army 2020 Headquarters 15 (North East) Brigade will merge with Headquarters 4 Mechanised Brigade by 1 December 2014 to form Headquarters 4 Infantry Brigade and Headquarters North East, based in Catterick. The support provided to resilience operations across the North East region will continue under the new headquarters.

Public Records: Northern Ireland

Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 14 October 2013, Official Report, column 483W, how many full-time equivalent staff are assigned to work supporting the Historical Enquiries Team and the National Archives in identifying files for release.

Mark Francois: There are 17 members of Ministry of Defence (MOD) staff that support the work of the Historical Enquiries Team and a further 14 that work separately on the selection and release of all MOD records to the National Archives.

Reserve Forces: Yorkshire and the Humber

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association for Yorkshire and the Humber on how the region can improve the recruitment of Reserve Forces Personnel.

Anna Soubry: At official level there are regular contacts with all the Reserve Forces and Cadets Associations; and Ministers engage with the Council of the Reserve Forces and Cadets Associations. We are not aware of any specific representations by the Yorkshire and Humber Reserve Forces and Cadets Association.

Reserve Forces: Yorkshire and the Humber

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the Reserve Forces are or were based in (a) York and (b) Yorkshire and the Humber (i) now and (ii) in each of the last five years.

Anna Soubry: The following table shows the number of Reserves recorded as being based in York, and Yorkshire and Humber, since 2009.
	
		
			  1 April 2009 1 April 2010 1 April 2011 1 April 2012 1 April 2013 1 October 2013 
			 Territorial Army       
			 Yorkshire and Humber 2,970 2,900 2,670 2,600 2,620 2,280 
			 Of which:       
			 York 670 680 660 590 610 570 
		
	
	
		
			 Royal Auxiliary Air Force       
			 Yorkshire and Humber 80 90 80 80 80 80 
			 Of which:       
			 York - - - - - - 
		
	
	We do not hold data in respect of the Maritime Reserve in the format requested, but there are currently no members of the Maritime Reserve based in Yorkshire and Humber.
	The data from which these figures is compiled has not been validated by Defence Statistics, and should therefore be considered as estimates; all figures are rounded. The population reported by each Service may differ slightly (for instance in terms of Full-Time Reserve Service personnel); comparisons across the three Services may therefore not be valid.
	As set out in our White Paper in July this year we should not be surprised if the trained strength falls before it increases.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 18 July 2013, Official Report, column 960W, on unmanned aerial vehicles, what approximate distance beyond the primary areas of operation identified for the Black Hornet that unmanned aerial vehicle has flown in UK airspace. [R]

Mark Francois: Black Hornet is a very small aerial surveillance tool which flies distances of less than 300 metres. It is used solely for training purposes in the UK and is not flown beyond military training areas.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 9 December 2013, Official Report, column 70W, on unmanned aerial vehicles, what information his Department records or collates on the trialling or other use of unmanned aerial systems by MOD state bodies in UK air space.

Philip Dunne: In the UK the Ministry of Defence operates unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in danger areas or segregated airspace. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the then Minister of State for the Armed Forces (Mr Robathan), on 18 July 2013, Official Report, column 960W, for the number and location of flights by UAS in the UK in the last 10 years.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 9 December 2013, Official Report, column 70W, on unmanned aerial vehicles, what testing and evaluation of unmanned aerial system capabilities is being conducted or is planned for 2014 by 56(R) Squadron at the Air Warfare Centre.

Philip Dunne: 56(R) Squadron currently has no responsibility for test and evaluation of unmanned aerial system capabilities.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 9 December 2013, Official Report, column 70W, on unmanned aerial vehicles, which Government Department or body records or collates information on the trialling or other use of unmanned aerial systems by state bodies in UK airspace.

Philip Dunne: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has regulatory responsibility for all non-Ministry of Defence unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The CAA records data on the applications for permission to operate UAS in the UK, although they do not hold data for specific flights which remains the responsibility of the operator.

World War II: Anniversaries

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has to commemorate the achievements of Mediterranean Command in World War Two.

Anna Soubry: The achievements of all the British and Empire armed forces during the second world war should be recognised. Especially during this decade when so many 70th anniversaries of major events and actions will fall. However it is not possible to mark every aspect of each campaign, and it is traditional for participating units and regiments to use the date of a pivotal battle to represent a particular campaign.
	The North African and Mediterranean theatres' achievements were commemorated with the thanksgiving service for the Battle of El Alamein in October 2012 in Westminster Abbey and the Maltese events to mark the 60th anniversary of the island's siege in 2005 in Valetta.
	The focus of the Second World War commemoration for 2014 is to be the 70th anniversary of D-Day. There are no further plans related to the overseas commands of the time.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

Conflict Prevention: Treaties

Steven Baker: To ask the Attorney-General if he will make an assessment of whether the General Treaty for Renunciation of War as an Instrument of National Policy remains binding on the UK.

Oliver Heald: I am advised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office that the General Treaty for the Renunciation of War as an Instrument of National Policy (also known as the Kellogg-Briand Pact) remains in force and that the United Kingdom remains a party.

Fraud

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General 
	(1)  to how many firms the Serious Fraud Office has out sourced investigative work in the last three years;
	(2)  if he will review the Serious Fraud Office's out sourcing controls and procedures following the prosecution of Victor Dahdaleh.

Oliver Heald: The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has never out-sourced investigative work to a private firm. Of course the SFO engages Counsel, forensic accountants or other specialists as part of its work but such individuals will always work under the direction and supervision of SFO staff.
	In many cases, like that of Mr Dahdaleh, the SFO will engage with a private company or its lawyers in order to secure from them material believed to be relevant to its investigation. In all such instances, it is the SFO, and not the private company, which determines the parameters of what material is likely to be relevant; and makes the qualitative assessment as to the value of that material to the investigation.
	These examples do not in any sense amount to investigative work being out-sourced. The Director of the SFO is of the clear view that it would never in any circumstances be appropriate to out-source investigative work. The SFO has already announced that it will be reviewing carefully the lessons to be learnt from the prosecution of Mr Dahdaleh with a view to applying those lessons to future casework.

Ministers

Ian Lucas: To ask the Attorney-General how much was spent on ministerial salaries in the last year for which figures are available.

Oliver Heald: Information on ministerial salaries for the Attorney-General's Office is published annually in the HM Procurator General and Treasury Solicitor Annual Report and Accounts. The most recently published data are on page 29 of the 2012-13 report which can be found at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tsol-ago-hmcpsi-annual-report-and-accounts-201213

Victor Dahdaleh

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General 
	(1)  when the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) engaged the services of Akin Gump during its investigation of Victor Dahdaleh; and how much was paid by the SFO for any services Akin Gump provided;
	(2)  what the cost to the public purse was of the Serious Fraud Office's investigation and prosecution of Victor Dahdaleh;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the decision of the trial judge to direct the jury to acquit Victor Dahdaleh on grounds that included the delegation by the Serious Fraud Office of parts of the investigation to a law firm that was suing the defendant; and if he will make a statement.

Oliver Heald: Akin Gump were not engaged by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) during its investigation of Mr Dahdaleh or at any other time. The role of Akin Gump was limited to providing the SFO with material they held on behalf of their client, Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), in accordance with the SFO's requests. It follows from this that nothing was paid by the SFO to Akin Gump.
	The full cost of the investigation and prosecution is not yet known as the case has not yet concluded. In any case, it is not possible to break down the costs relating to specific individuals.
	The trial judge directed the jury to return verdicts of ‘not guilty’ on all counts because the prosecution offered no evidence. They did so for two reasons: firstly, because a conspirator who had pleaded guilty and agreed to give evidence on behalf of the prosecution significantly changed his evidence and, secondly, because the two partners from Akin Gump had refused to attend the trial to give evidence and face cross-examination without preconditions. While this is obviously a disappointing result, it should be noted that the case has already resulted in the successful conviction of Mr Dahdaleh's co-accused, Bruce Hall, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to corrupt.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Apprentices

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of people over the age of 25 who have been offered an apprenticeship in (a) Glasgow North West constituency, (b) Glasgow, (c) Scotland and (d) the UK in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Esther McVey: The Department does not collect the information. Apprenticeships policy in Scotland is the responsibility of the Scottish Government.

Atos Healthcare

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff were employed by Atos Healthcare as part of the Medical Services Agreement in each month since 2010.

Michael Penning: The total number of staff employed by Atos Healthcare as part of the Medical Services Agreement in each month since 2010 are shown on the following table.
	These figures are made up of administrative staff, health care professionals (nurses, physiotherapists and doctors) and management.
	
		
			  2010 2011 2012 2013 
			 January 1,290 1,445 1,590 1,715 
			 February 1,304 1,448 1,635 1,714 
			 March 1,291 1,447 1,663 1,703 
			 April 1,311 1,469 1,691 1,703 
			 May 1,331 1,483 1,710 1,702 
			 June 1,353 1,496 1,704 1,690 
			 July 1,346 1,510 1,712 1,696 
		
	
	
		
			 August 1,363 1,496 1,721 1,691 
			 September 1,382 1,527 1,724 1,675 
			 October 1,398 1,520 1,732 1,643 
			 November 1,420 1,551 1,731 1— 
			 December 1,413 1,539 1,709 1— 
			 1 No data.

Cold Weather Payments: Wales

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which wards in each county borough in Wales received cold weather payments in (a) 2011, (b) 2012 and (c) 2013; and if he will make a statement.

Steve Webb: The cold weather payment scheme is administered at weather station level rather than any other standard GB geography such as ward or country level. The coverage area for each weather station is determined by the Met Office through assessing the most appropriate weather station for each postcode area. The boundaries of weather station coverage areas and wards do not match exactly so some wards will be covered by more than one weather station.
	Table 1 gives the number of triggers at each weather station whose coverage area lies either wholly or partly in Wales. People in the coverage area of these weather stations will have received a cold weather payment in that year. A table will be placed in the Library providing the Welsh wards covered by these weather stations.
	The cold weather payment season runs from November to March each year. Consequently, the calendar year figures given in Table 1 below will include triggers from two separate cold weather payment seasons. The data for 2013 runs to 12 December 2013.
	Please note that the coverage areas of Hawarden Airport, Hereford-Credenhill, Sennybridge and Lake Vyrnwy weather cross into England and will also include some English wards. These are not included in the table that will be placed in the Library. In addition, some wards may be covered by more than one weather station.
	
		
			 Table 1: Triggers at weather stations in Wales in each calendar year from 2011 to 2013 
			 Weather station 2011 2012 2013 
			 Aberporth 0 0 0 
			 Capel Curig 0 1 2 
			 Hawarden airport 0 1 1 
			 Hereford-Credenhill 0 2 1 
			 Lake Vyrnwy 1 2 5 
			 Mona 0 0 1 
			 Pembrey Sands 0 0 0 
			 Rhyl 0 0 0 
			 Sennybridge 1 3 4 
			 St Athan 0 0 0 
			 Trawsgoed 0 0 1 
			 Tredegar 1 2 4 
			 Notes: 1. The information provided is Management Information. 2. A cold weather payment of £25 is made when the average temperature has been recorded as, or is forecast to be, 0°C or below over seven consecutive days at the weather station linked to an eligible recipient's postcode. 3. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 100.

Disability Living Allowance

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what consultation was undertaken prior to the design and introduction of the standard dropbox forms for disability living allowance applications.

Esther McVey: The design and development of disability living allowance claim forms included extensive consultation with the Disability Advisory Forum, which collectively represented organisations covering a wide range of disabilities. The Disability Advisory Forum was drawn into the discussion at formative and later stages of the development.

Employment and Support Allowance

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his Department's plans are to support employment and support allowance (ESA) claimants whose work capability assessments are being reconsidered, but who are unable to claim ESA during the reconsideration or appeal period.

Esther McVey: ESA is not payable while a decision that a claimant does not have limited capability for work (following a work capability assessment) is being reconsidered. During this period, the claimant may choose to claim an alternative income replacement benefit such as jobseeker's allowance or income support. However, they must satisfy the entitlement criteria.
	Following the completion of mandatory reconsideration of the decision, if the claimant subsequently appeals then ESA may be paid at the assessment phase rate pending the appeal being heard. Provided medical evidence is provided, this payment can cover the period while reconsideration was carried out but entitlement cannot be assessed until the claimant has lodged an appeal.

Employment and Support Allowance

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his Department's plans are to support employment and support allowance (ESA) claimants whose work capability assessments are being reconsidered, but who are ineligible to claim either ESA or jobseeker's allowance during the reconsideration or appeal period.

Esther McVey: A person's eligibility for alternative benefits will depend upon their individual circumstances. As employment and support allowance will not be payable during the mandatory reconsideration period, the claimant may choose to claim income support if they satisfy the entitlement criteria.

Food Banks

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he received the evidence review commissioned by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the landscape of food aid provision and access in the United Kingdom; and when he expects to comment to that Department.

Esther McVey: All Government funded research reports are required to go through a rigorous review and quality assurance process before publication. The Department is working with DEFRA as part of this process. The report will be published once this is complete.

Housing Benefit: Social Rented Housing

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was allocated to each Merseyside council in discretionary support following the introduction of the under-occupancy penalty; and how much of those allocations was unspent in (a) 2012-13, (b) 2013-14 and (c) 2014-15.

Steve Webb: The removal of the spare room subsidy was introduced from April 2013. As a result no specific element of this was included in the DHP funding for 2012-13. However the DHP allocations and under spend for 2012-13 were as follows:
	
		
			 £ 
			 Local authority Government contribution 2012-13 Amount of under spend 2012-13 
			 Knowsley 173,938 3,791 
			 Liverpool 892,553 337,435 
			 Sefton 292,748 834 
			 St Helens 127,174 2,147 
			 Wirral 522,238 57,408 
		
	
	The total 2013-14 DHP allocation for each Merseyside council is detailed in the following table. We do not hold underspend data for DHP expenditure for 2013-14. The Department has been collating six-monthly returns detailing DHP awards made by local authorities and is currently quality assuring the returns. DHP allocations for 2014-15 have yet to be decided.
	
		
			 Local authority Government contribution 2013-14 (£) 
			 Knowsley 468,623 
			 Liverpool 1,606,233 
			 Sefton 547,790 
			 St Helens 399,636 
			 Wirral 917,214 
		
	
	This year the Government contribution to discretionary housing payments has been increased to £180 million. As part of this, local authorities are able to bid for funding from a £20 million reserve fund. The scheme is open to bids until 3 February 2014.

Jobcentre Plus: Corby

Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time employment vacancies were advertised in Jobcentre Plus offices in Corby constituency in the latest period for which figures are available.

Esther McVey: In the 30 day period to 11 December 2013, 494 full-time vacancies and 23 part-time vacancies were advertised using Universal Jobmatch in Corby.

Jobseeker’s Allowance

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the reasons for changes in the number of jobseeker's allowance claimants being sanctioned.

Esther McVey: A new sanctions regime was introduced in jobseeker's allowance (JSA) from 22 October 2012 and in employment and support allowance (ESA) from 3 December 2012. We have released statistics on sanctions up to the end of June 2013 which can be found here:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/255176/sanctions-nov-2013.pdf
	The statistics show that despite some month on month fluctuations there has been little change in the overall volume of JSA sanctions since the introduction of the new regime. The volume of sanctions had increased between late 2011 and April/May 2012 driven by an increase in sanctions for failure to participate in employment programmes.
	ESA sanction volumes have increased but remain lower than they were in late 2009/early 2010. The increase in volumes is in line with an increase in the size of the Work Related Activity Group.

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of job seeker's allowance claimants waited longer than (a) one week, (b) two weeks, (c) three weeks and (d) one month to have their benefit claim processed in each year since 2006.

Esther McVey: DWP does not collate this data.

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average processing times of jobseeker's allowance claims were for each quarter since January 2006.

Esther McVey: The information in response to this PQ is unable to be released. This is because the information has a clerical element which has the potential to be retrospectively changed. Therefore any data may change following its release.

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many women in each region have received an exemption from conditions applied to claimants of jobseeker's allowance because they have been victims of domestic violence since April 2012.

Esther McVey: DWP directly supports domestic violence victims in a number of ways. The jobseeker’s allowance domestic violence (JSA DV) easement helps victims of actual or threatened domestic violence by allowing a break from job seeking activity to enable claimants to stabilise their lives and those of their families.
	The following table sets out the number of times the jobseeker's allowance domestic violence easement has been applied in each month since its introduction, broken down by Jobcentre Plus Group in Great Britain between April and September 2013. Figures are not broken down by gender due to small numbers. It only captures those people where DWP's administrative systems show that an easement has been approved for at least four weeks-the minimum period of time for which an easement can be approved. It does not include people where an application for an easement was made but was either not followed up or where no evidence was provided in support of the application.
	The easement can apply for a period of up to 13-weeks, so an individual easement may span a period of several months. Where this is the case, the easement has only been counted in the month in which it was first applied.
	
		
			 Table 1: Number of times the jobseeker's allowance domestic violence easement has been applied, by Jobcentre Plus Group, between April and September 2013 
			 Jobcentre Plus Group  Number Percentage 
			 England  760 84 
			  Central 195 21 
			  London and Home Counties 85 9 
			  North East 215 24 
			  North West 120 13 
			  Southern 150 17 
			     
			 Scotland  90 10 
			     
			 Wales  55 6 
			     
			 GB  910 100 
			 Note: Figures may not sum due to rounding.

Personal Income: Southwark

Harriet Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what the average annual income of non-single parent households in the London borough of Southwark was in (a) 2009, (b) 2010, (c) 2011, (d) 2012 and (e) 2013;
	(2)  what the average annual income of single parent households in the London borough of Southwark was in (a) 2009, (b) 2010, (c) 2011, (d) 2012 and (e) 2013.

Esther McVey: Estimates of average weekly income in the UK are published in the National Statistics Households Below Average Income (HBAI) series. HBAI uses household income adjusted (or 'equivalised') for household size and composition, to provide a proxy for standard of living. This information is captured using the Family Resources Survey.
	Household income refers to net disposable income which includes earnings from employment and self-employment, state support, income from occupational and private pensions, investment income and other sources. Income tax payments, national insurance contributions, council tax/domestic rates and some other payments are deducted from incomes.
	A household is defined as a single person or group of people living at the same address as their only or main residence, who either share one meal together or share the living accommodation. A household will consist of one or more families. A benefit unit (family) is defined as a single adult or a married or cohabiting couple, plus any dependent children. The following figures are based on household income.
	Due to sample size constraints figures are not available below regional level and by individual year. As such figures for the London borough of Southwark are not available. Therefore, the following figures have been provided for London as three-year averages.
	
		
			 Table 1. Annual income of non-single parent households in London, Before Housing Costs, three-year averages from 2007-08 to 2011-12 
			 £ per year 
			  Mean Median 
			 2007-08 to 2009-10 33,009 22,293 
		
	
	
		
			 2008-09 to 2010-11 32,908 22,900 
			 2009-10 to 2011-12 35,389 23,564 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 2. Annual income of single parent households in London, Before Housing Costs, three-year averages from 2007-08 to 2011-12 
			 £ per year 
			  Mean Median 
			 2007-08 to 2009-10 19,392 16,358 
			 2008-09 to 2010-11 20,264 17,135 
			 2009-10 to 2011-12 20,238 18,047 
			 Notes: 1. These statistics are based on Households Below Average Income (HBAI) data sourced from the Family Resources Survey (FRS). This uses disposable household income, adjusted using modified OECD equivalisation factors for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living. 2. Equivalisation adjusts incomes for household size and composition, taking an adult couple with no children as the reference point. 3. In the HBAI and FRS a household is defined as a single person or group of people living at the same address as their only or main residence, who either share one meal together or share the living accommodation. A household will consist of one or more benefit units. A benefit unit (family) is defined as a single adult or a married or cohabiting couple, plus any dependent children. From January 2006 same-sex partners (civil partners and cohabitees) are also included in the same benefit unit. The figures above are based on household income. 4. Income calculated here includes earnings from employment and self-employment, state support, income from occupational and private pensions, investment income and other sources. Income tax payments, national insurance contributions, council tax/domestic rates and some other payments are deducted from incomes. 5. Households receive income from a variety of sources. The main ones are earnings, self-employment, state support (ie benefits and tax credits), interest on investments and occupational pensions. 6. Figures have been presented on a Before Housing Cost basis. For Before Housing Costs, housing costs (such as rent, water rates, mortgage interest payments, buildings insurance payments and ground rent and service charges) are not deducted from income. 7. Mean equivalised household income of individuals is found by adding up equivalised household incomes for each individual in a population and dividing the result by the number of people. 8. Median net family income divides the number of families, when ranked by family (benefit unit) income, into two equal-sized groups. 9. Regional statistics are always presented in three-year averages as single-year regional estimates are considered too small. Therefore London estimates are taken from FRS 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12. 10. The reference period for HBAI figures is the financial year. 11. Figures have been rounded to the nearest £1. Estimates based on survey data are subject to uncertainty. The estimates are subject to sampling error.

Poverty: Children

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many children have been living in poverty in Lancashire in each year since 2009.

Esther McVey: The information requested is not available.
	The Child Poverty Act 2010 sets four income-based UK-wide targets to be met by 2020. The targets are based on the proportion of children living in households with relative low income, combined low income and material deprivation, absolute low income and persistent poverty (all before housing costs have been taken into account).
	Estimates of these are published in the National Statistics Households Below Average Income (HBAI) series. HBAI uses household income adjusted (or 'equivalised') for household size and composition, to provide a proxy for standard of living. This information is captured using the Family Resources Survey.
	Information at county or local authority level is not available as the sample size of this survey is not sufficient to provide robust estimates. The lowest geography at which poverty estimates are reported is regional level.
	Three-year averages are used to report statistics by region, as single-year estimates are subject to volatility. The latest figures for relative and absolute low income at regional level covering the period of 2009-10 to 2011-12 can be found in the latest HBAI publication, available at the following link:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/households-below-average-income-hbai-199495-to-201112
	(ISBN 978-1-78153-531-8)
	Relevant regional figures can be found in Table 4.17ts (on page 136) for relative low income and Table 4.23ts (on page 142) for absolute low income.
	We want to develop better measures of child poverty, which include, but go beyond income to provide a more accurate picture of the reality of child poverty and drive the right action. Our consultation on how best to measure child poverty closed on 15 February. The complexity of the issue means that we need to take time to ensure we have the best option for measuring child poverty. We will publish our response as soon as we can.

Social Fund

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he has taken to ensure that adequate support is being offered to people in financial hardship following the abolition of crisis loans and community care grants.

Steve Webb: Funding has been provided for new, better targeted local provision through arrangements made by upper tier local authorities in England and the Welsh and Scottish Governments. It is for local authorities to decide how they advertise and operate schemes and it is for local authorities to satisfy themselves that the measures they are taking meet their statutory obligations. My Department has no role in how they are run.
	However, so that claimants can get timely access to the support available from both the Department and the new provision in their communities we continue to promote awareness of the new arrangements. This includes messages on the Department's telephone enquiry lines, scripts for DWP staff to use in Jobcentres and call centres, messages on customer letters, and information on the benefits pages on the www.gov.uk website. At a local level Jobcentre Plus staff work very closely with local authorities and the devolved nations to support them in delivering their schemes.
	Steps taken prior to the changes being introduced included holding many workshops around the country with local authorities and the devolved Administrations. At these we discussed how the funding could be put to the best use. Additionally, the settlement letter issued to each local authority with details of their funding provided further clarity on the purpose of the funding.

Social Security Benefits

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to ensure that requirements on those in receipt of jobseeker's allowance and employment and support allowance respect the religious adherence of individuals.

Esther McVey: Jobseeker's allowance claimants may restrict the type of work they are prepared to do or days they are prepared to work because of a sincerely held religious belief or conscientious objection, provided they can show they have reasonable prospects of employment despite this restriction.

Social Security Benefits

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he has taken to change the sanctions applied to benefits claimants following the recent Supreme Court judgement R v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

Esther McVey: The Department for Work and Pensions has taken no steps to change sanctions applied to benefit claimants following the recent Supreme Court judgment in R v. Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

Social Security Benefits: Corby

Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many people claimed disability living allowance in (a) Corby constituency and (b) East Northamptonshire in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many families received attendance allowance at (a) the higher and (b) the lower rate in Corby constituency in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(3)  how many people in Corby constituency who have identified sight impairment as their primary disability received disability living allowance in each (a) higher and lower rate mobility and (b) higher, middle and lower rate care components in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(4)  how many people in Corby constituency who have identified hearing impairment as their primary disability received disability living allowance in each (a) higher and lower rate mobility and (b) higher, middle and lower rate care components in the latest period for which figures are available.

Michael Penning: Attendance allowance is not paid to families, it is a benefit paid to an individual to contribute towards the extra costs faced by severely disabled people who claim after reaching age 65.
	The information requested regarding the numbers of claimants receiving disability living allowance or attendance allowance can be found at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dwp-statistics-tabulation-tool
	Guidance for users is available at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-tabulation-tool-guidance
	In answer to the remaining questions regarding impairments, the information requested is shown in the following tables:
	
		
			 DLA recipients with a main disabling condition of blindness or deafness, by rate of care component, in Corby parliamentary constituency, May 2013 
			  Total in payment High rate care Low rate care Medium rate care Nil rate 
			 All DLA recipients 5,770 1,350 1,830 1,890 710 
			 Blindness 130 10 50 50 20 
		
	
	
		
			 Deafness 80 10 10 60 — 
		
	
	
		
			 DLA recipients with a main disabling condition of blindness or deafness, by rate of mobility component, in Corby parliamentary constituency, May 2013 
			  Total in payment High rate mobility Low rate mobility Nil rate 
			 All DLA recipients 5,770 3,260 1,750 770 
			 Blindness 130 40 80 10 
			 Deafness 80 10 50 30 
			 Notes: 1. Figures are shown rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Figures show the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and excludes cases where the payment has been suspended e.g. if they are in hospital. 3. A diagnosed medical condition does not mean that someone is automatically entitled to DLA. Entitlement is dependent on an assessment of how much help someone needs with personal care and/or mobility because of their disability. These statistics are only collected for administrative purposes. 4. DLA care and mobility components can be paid together or on their own. 5. Blindness and deafness encompass a range of sight impairments and hearing impairments. Source: DWP Information, Governance and Security Directorate, Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100% data.

Social Security Benefits: Newcastle Upon Tyne

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what digital assistance is available for people in Newcastle required to claim benefits online; and where any such assistance can be found.

Esther McVey: The Department has installed over 2,000 new internet access devices in Jobcentres nationally, including Jobcentres in Newcastle. These devices are there to support people who claim benefits and do not have their own computer. Jobcentre staff are available to provide people with any assistance required. We are introducing another 6,000 devices in 2014.
	Jobcentre Plus has been working closely with Newcastle city council on a digital inclusion strategy—Go Digital Newcastle. As part of the strategy a mapping exercise has been undertaken to identify public access IT. To date there are in excess of 500 digital devices available for public use within Newcastle. Details of their location and how to access are held on the Newcastle city council website. The mapping exercise enables support organisations and Jobcentre Plus Advisers, for example, to signpost people to public access IT points.
	In addition, DWP also works in partnership with several organisations, including UK Online centres, who can help people access a computer and coach them in using the internet. This support can be found in every local authority area in libraries or community centres, for example.
	Where people are unable to claim online, telephony or face-to-face services will continue to support people to access our services.

Social Security Benefits: Scotland

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many households in Scotland subject to the benefits cap are (a) single with no dependent children, (b) single with dependent children, (c) couples with no dependent children and (d) couples with dependent children.

Esther McVey: We have published Official Statistics for Great Britain as a whole showing how many households subject to the benefit cap are (a) single with no dependent children, (b) single with dependent children, (c) couples with no dependent children and (d) couples with dependent children. We are still developing the information sets necessary to provide this information for Scotland. We expect to make the information available in a forthcoming release of benefit cap Official Statistics. Further details will be given on the publication strategy landing page:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/benefit-cap-statistics

Social Security Benefits: Scotland

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many households in Scotland are subject to the benefits cap in each local authority area.

Esther McVey: Information on the cumulative number of households in Scotland subject to the benefit cap in each local authority is available on the publication strategy landing page:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/benefit-cap-statistics

Social Security Benefits: Scotland

Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many households in Scotland subject to the benefits cap are entitled to carer's allowance.

Esther McVey: The information requested is not collated centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how the enhanced online digital service for universal credit whose development has been started by the Government Digital Services will relate to the universal credit system whose development has been led by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Esther McVey: I refer the right hon. Member to the written ministerial statement from the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr Duncan Smith), on 5 December 2013, Official Report, column 65WS.

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 11 June 2012, Official Report, column 282W, on universal credit, what recent estimate he has made of IT development and implementation costs related to universal credit in (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15.

Esther McVey: The current forecast for overall implementation costs related to universal credit in 2013-14 is £192 million. Costs related to IT development remain subject to ongoing commercial discussions.

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  when he was first informed that some claimants would not transfer to universal credit by the end of 2017-18;
	(2)  when he was first informed that the phasing out of new claims to existing benefits and credits would be delayed until after April 2014.

Esther McVey: Our priority has been and continues to be the safe and secure delivery of universal credit. This has driven our approach to progressively test, learn, implement as we deliver this flagship programme.
	Following Howard Shiplee's review of the universal credit delivery approach and the successful conclusion of the testing of the Enhanced Digital Solution, discussions were held between Ministers and officials to agree the delivery approach as set out in the written ministerial statement that the Secretary of State laid before the House on 5 December 2013. This included the decision that the vast majority of existing claimants will have moved to universal credit by 2017.

Universal Credit

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 11 December 2013, Official Report, column 154W, on universal credit, who is providing jobcentre plus advisors with training; and at what cost.

Esther McVey: The universal credit training for Jobcentre Plus advisers is being delivered by experienced learning and development officers from within DWP. The amount of training required varies according to future universal credit job role and previous experience but on average is 11 days.

Work Capability Assessment

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many work capability assessment centres have induction loops for deaf and hard of hearing people.

Michael Penning: The 150 assessment centres commissioned for work capability assessments have induction loops.
	On occasions where an induction loop is not readily available or operational, then Atos Healthcare are able to provide a portable induction loop.

Work Capability Assessment

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the cost to his Department of appeals against the work capability assessment in 2013.

Michael Penning: For the financial year 2012-13 and the 2013-14 year to date, the costs of Appeals related to work capability assessment are as follows:
	
		
			 £ 
			  2012-13 October YTD 2013-14 
			 ESA Appeals-WCA 15,865,218 18,351,906 
			 IB (IS) Reassessment Appeals 12,276,418 6,236,687 
			 Total 28,141,636 24,588,593 
		
	
	The only appeals activities included in the table are the administrative work undertaken by DWP staff. We do not have details of the Tribunal Service costs or any lawyers employed.
	The above costs include DWP activities, regardless of the result of appeal.

Work Programme

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what monthly targets he has set for those leaving prison and rolling onto the Work Programme.

Esther McVey: Anyone leaving prison and claiming jobseeker's allowance benefits is immediately referred to the Work Programme.
	Monthly targets have not been set for those leaving prison and moving onto the Work programme.

Work Programme

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how the Work programme has performed against its targets for those leaving prison in each month since the programme's inception.

Esther McVey: Monthly targets have not been set for those leaving prison and moving onto the Work programme.

Work Programme: Corby

Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people were successfully placed in jobs by Work Programme contractors in Corby constituency in each of the last three months; and how many people claiming employment and support allowance were referred into the Work Programme in Corby constituency in the latest period for which figures are available.

Esther McVey: The information requested on those successfully placed in jobs by Work programme contractors is not available.
	However statistics on how many people in Corby have secured job outcomes through the Work programme to date can be found at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dwp-statistics-tabulation-tool
	In response to the second part of your question there were 250 Work programme referrals for those in the ESA Payment Group, Corby parliamentary constituency between 1 June 2011 and 30 June 2013.

Minimum Wage

George Galloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the reduction in (a) tax credits and (b) benefits from a rise in the minimum wage from £6.31 to £7.65 nationally and to £8.80 in London.

David Gauke: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Treasury.
	The Treasury has made no such assessment.
	The Low Pay Commission reviews the national minimum wage rates and recommends rate uplifts to government on the basis of valued independent judgment and advice.
	The Government is committed to the minimum wage because of the protection it provides low paid workers and the incentives to work it provides. It is important that we have a minimum wage that helps as many low paid workers as possible, while at the same time making sure that we do not damage their employment prospects by setting it too high.
	The Government is keen that lower paid workers benefit from the strengthening economic recovery. This is why, in September, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovations and Skills asked the Low Pay Commission to consider the conditions that would need to be in place in order to allow a faster increase in the minimum wage taking into account the implications on employment.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Cycling: Finance

Julian Huppert: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what weight is given to sustainability and the inclusion of cycling schemes when assessing bids made under the local growth fund.

Greg Clark: Growth Deals will be agreed between Government and Local Enterprise Partnerships on the basis of their Strategic Economic Plans, and will include agreements on wider freedoms, flexibilities and influence, as well as allocations of Local Growth Fund. Government published guidance in July which set out that the three core criteria for assessing Strategic Economic Plans are ambition and rationale, value for money, and delivery and risk.

JUSTICE

Children: Maintenance

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what provision is made for video conferencing for Child Support Agency Tribunal cases when one party is unable to attend in person.

Shailesh Vara: The First-tier Tribunal—Social Security and Child Support (SSCS), administered by HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), hears appeals against Department for Work and Pensions' (DWP) decisions on a range of benefits and credits including child support.
	Video conferencing equipment is available in all main SSCS hearing venues. When a party to a child support appeal contacts the tribunal to advise they are unable to attend a hearing in person, arrangements will be made for them to attend at a venue convenient to them which has video conferencing facilities to allow them to participate in the proceedings.

Drugs: Misuse

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what research his Department has (a) produced, (b) commissioned and (c) evaluated on the effectiveness of addressing drug-related offending by extending drug testing requirements from Class A to Class A and B drugs for those on licence and under the new supervision period;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the costs arising from the extension of drug testing requirements for those on licence and under the new supervision period from Class A to Class A and B drugs; and what steps he is taking to ensure that adequate drug service provision to deal with the extended testing is available in all local areas.

Jeremy Wright: At present drug tests under licence are paid for and administered by the National Offender Management Service but will, under the Transforming Rehabilitation reforms, be delivered and paid for by providers of probation services from across the public, private and voluntary sectors. The proposed extension of drug testing in the Offender Rehabilitation Bill gives the Secretary of State a discretionary power to impose a drug testing requirement on offenders released from custody. The Government will provide guidance but it will be for the individual providers to decide when and how frequently to test offenders.
	There will be costs associated with breaching offenders who test positive for drugs following the extension of drug testing requirements. It is not known which offenders providers will choose to test. The Offender Rehabilitation Bill impact assessment provided an illustrative scenario where 10% of offenders released from custody are tested, which would be around 9,000 offenders per year. It is estimated that this could result in around 1,000 recalls to custody per year, at a cost of around £1 million per year but this has to be seen in the wider context of the savings made by reductions in reoffending.

Drugs: Misuse

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether his Department has (a) produced, (b) commissioned, (c) evaluated any research suggesting a correlation between offending behaviour and cannabis use; and whether such research informed his decision to extend drug testing requirements from Class A to Class A and B drugs for those on licence and under the new supervision period.

Jeremy Wright: The extension of drug testing under licence to Class A and Class B drugs is designed to assess how the offender is complying with their licence and supervision conditions and support efforts to reduce reoffending. This has been informed by the Surveying Prisoner Crime Reduction study which shows that 61% of offenders who reported using Class A drugs in the four weeks before custody reoffended, compared with 48% of those who reported using Class B and/or C drugs in the four weeks before custody, and 39% who had not used drugs in the four weeks before custody. In comparison, 30% of those who had never used drugs reoffended.

Legal Aid Scheme: Adoption

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will make it his policy to offer parents legal aid for placement proceedings involving their children.

Shailesh Vara: Subject to the appropriate tests of the means of the individual and the merits of the case in question, legal aid is available to parents for advice and representation in placement proceedings involving their children.

Legal Representation

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people represented themselves in court (a) in the most recent period for which figures are available and (b) in each of the last five years.

Shailesh Vara: The Ministry of Justice publishes data on representation in family cases and Crown court cases. Family cases showing self representing applicants and respondents in different types of case are published covering 2011, 2012 and January to June 2013 and are in Table 1 as follows. Crown court defendant/appellant representation data are published annually by calendar year and are available from 2009 to 2012 and are in Table 2 as follows. Data before this date and details of self representation in the civil cases and magistrates courts can be estimated only by manually checking every case file at disproportionate costs.
	7
	
		
			 Table 1: Number of disposals in family courts in England and Wales where the applicant or respondent was self represented1, annually 2011 & 2012, and January to June 2013 
			  Applicant self represented2, 3, Respondent self represented2, 3 All types4 
			 2011 76,682 143,126 264,910 
			 2012 86,415 148,755 270,611 
			 January to June 2013 43,801 77,124 107,288 
			 1 Self-representation is determined by the field 'legal representation' in Familyman being left blank. Therefore, this is only a proxy measure and parties without a recorded representative are not necessarily self-representing litigants in person. 2 Includes disposals where both the applicant and respondent are self represented. 3 A party is considered 'applicant-represented' if at least one applicant has a recorded legal representative, and likewise for respondents. 4 All types includes both parties represented, neither party represented, one party represented and a small number of disposals where representation status is unknown. Source: Court Statistics Quarterly: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/court-statistics-quarterly-april-to-june-2013 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 2: Defendants and appellants in the Crown court by type of representation 2009 to 2012 
			 Type of representation Unrepresented Unknown1 Total2 
			 2009 1,651 9,992 162,362 
			 2010 1,301 14,035 164,711 
			 2011 1,464 18,742 160,581 
			 2012 1,285 17,793 144,066 
			 Notes: 1 Defendants and appellants who do not have their type of representation recorded in CREST are classified as ‘Unknown'. 2 Includes unrepresented defendants, those with criminal public funding, those privately represented and those whose representation is unknown. Source: Court Statistics Quarterly: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/court-statistics-quarterly-jan-mar-2013

Oakwood Prison

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many staff at HM Prison Oakwood have less than one year's service at this establishment.

Jeremy Wright: Staff working at HMP Oakwood are employed by a number of providers, to deliver a range of services. These include, for example, probation services, education and healthcare, as well as custodial services.
	While G4S, the main provider, is not able to provide information covering staff employed by all these providers, within the last 12 months 385 people have been cleared to work at the prison. Most of these are employees of the various providers, but the figure also includes volunteers, such as Independent Monitoring Board members and lay visitors.

Patents

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether British patent attorneys who hold a British Patent Attorney Litigators Certificate will be issued with a certificate by the UK authorities confirming that they are lawyers for the purpose of rights before the Unified Patent Court.

David Willetts: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
	As part of the preparations for implementing the Unified Patent Court agreement and setting up the court an advisory panel is being assembled to develop the qualification criteria for appearing before the court. Mr Justice Colin Birss will be the UK representative on this panel. We anticipate that this work, which is being lead by the Hungarian delegation, will commence shortly and the UK will play a full part. Any such requirements will need to be agreed by Signatory States through the Preparatory Committee.

Prisoners

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many hours a week prisoners in each category of prison (a) spent in their cells and (b) used to undertake purposeful activity in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011 and (iii) 2012;
	(2)  how many hours a week prisoners in each prison (a) spent in their cells and (b) used to undertake purposeful activity in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011 and (iii) 2012;
	(3)  how many hours a week prisoners (a) spent in their cells and (b) used to undertake purposeful activity in each month since May 2010.

Jeremy Wright: Figures for average time in cell per week day in each prison and each category of prison for the five years to 2011-12 were provided in my reply of 6 June 2013 to the right hon. Gentleman’s earlier question:
	http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm130606/text/130606w0003.htm#13060674001141
	The earlier reply also included a link to the published information on purposeful activity in each prison and category of prison.
	Table 1 as follows shows time in cell and purposeful activity in each month in 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12.
	
		
			 Table 1 
			  Purposeful activity—average hours per prisoner per week Time in cell—average hours per prisoner per weekday 
			 April 2009 24.3 14.6 
		
	
	
		
			 May 2009 24.3 14.5 
			 June 2009 25.3 14.4 
			 July 2009 25.2 14.4 
			 August 2009 24.4 14.6 
			 September 2009 25.1 14.5 
			 October 2009 24.7 14.5 
			 November 2009 25.0 14.4 
			 December 2009 22.2 14.8 
			 January 2010 23.9 14.7 
			 February 2010 24.7 14.6 
			 March 2010 24.2 14.6 
			 April 2010 24.3 14.5 
			 May 2010 24.2 14.4 
			 June 2010 24.9 14.4 
			 July 2010 24.9 14.5 
			 August 2010 24.4 14.5 
			 September 2010 25.0 14.5 
			 October 2010 25.1 14.4 
			 November 2010 24.7 14.5 
			 December 2010 23.1 14.7 
			 January 2011 25.1 14.4 
			 February 2011 25.2 14.4 
			 March 2011 25.5 14.4 
			 April 2011 23.9 14.6 
			 May 2011 24.7 14.5 
			 June 2011 25.4 14.3 
			 July 2011 25.5 14.4 
			 August 2011 24.5 14.5 
			 September 2011 25.1 14.4 
			 October 2011 25.0 14.4 
			 November 2011 25.0 14.5 
			 December 2011 23.1 14.7 
			 January 2012 24.4 14.5 
			 February 2012 24.7 14.7 
			 March 2012 24.9 14.6 
		
	
	The figures for time in cell are derived from information collected on the average hours per weekday that prisoners are unlocked. By subtracting the average hours unlocked from the 24 hours in a day it is possible to estimate hours spent locked in cell. It should be noted that time in cell includes hours when prisoners are asleep. Time unlocked includes time where a prisoner is either out of their cell or where the cell door is unlocked allowing them to move freely in and out of the cell.
	Figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.
	Work in prisons remains a key priority to ensure prisoners are engaged purposefully while they are in custody. It also gives them the opportunity to learn skills and a work ethic which can increase their chances of finding employment on release, a key element to reducing reoffending.
	Our reforms to the Incentives and Earned Privileges national policy framework came into effect in adult prisons on 1 November 2013. Prisoners will be expected to engage in purposeful activity, as well as demonstrate a commitment towards their rehabilitation, reduce their risk of reoffending, behave well and help others if they are to earn privileges.
	The number of prisoners working in industrial activity in public sector prisons has increased since 2010. This delivered an increase in the total hours worked in industrial activities from 10.6 million hours to 13.1 million hours.
	In addition there are substantial numbers of prisoners who work to keep prisons running on tasks such as cooking, serving meals, maintenance and cleaning.
	Figures are published in the NOMS Annual Report Management Information Addendum:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/225225/mi-addendum.pdf

Prisoners

Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many hours per week of purposeful activity were undertaken by offenders in (a) each prison establishment in England and Wales and (b) each category of prison in each of the last three years.

Jeremy Wright: Work in prisons is a key priority to ensure prisoners are engaged purposefully while they are in custody. It also gives them the opportunity to learn skills and a work ethic which can increase their chances of finding employment on release, a key element to reducing reoffending.
	Our reforms to the Incentives and Earned Privileges national policy framework came into effect in adult prisons on 1 November 2013. Prisoners will be expected to engage in purposeful activity, as well as demonstrate a commitment towards their rehabilitation, reduce their risk of reoffending, behave well and help others if they are to earn privileges.
	The number of prisoners working in industrial activity in public sector prisons increased from around 8,600 in 2010-11 to around 9,700 in 2012-13. This delivered an increase in the total hours worked in industrial activities from 10.6 million hours to 13.1 million hours.
	In addition there are substantial numbers of prisoners who work to keep prisons running on tasks such as cooking, serving meals, maintenance and cleaning.
	Information on purposeful activity in each prison and category of prison was published annually in the Prison Performance Digest up until 2011-12 and can be found at the following location:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/163299/prison-performance-digest-2011-12.xls
	Please note that figures are not available after 2011-12. Purposeful activity was formerly a performance indicator for prisons, but was discontinued at the start of 2012-13. The indicator was not used in the day-to-day management of prisons and NOMS had concerns over the burden on the front line of collecting the information. Indicators introduced into prison SLAs in respect of rehabilitation, resettlement and work in prisons provide a better demonstration of efforts to prepare prisoners for release and reduce reoffending.
	Figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.
	Figures are published in the NOMS Annual Report Management Information Addendum:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/225225/mi-addendum.pdf

Prisoners: Suicide

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many incidences of (a) suicide, (b) attempted suicide and (c) self-harm there were (i) in HM Prison Lewes and (ii) on average in all adult prisons in each of the last three years.

Jeremy Wright: We are committed to open and transparent reporting of data relating to self-harm incidents and deaths in custody. It remains a priority to reduce the number of deaths and violence in prisons.
	Statistics on the number of (a) self-inflicted deaths and (c) self-harm incidents for each prison establishment are published on an annual basis in the Safety in Custody statistics bulletin, published at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/safety-in-custody-statistics
	Statistics on self-inflicted deaths by establishment can be found in Table 1.16 in the annual tables which accompany each publication, and the number of self-harm incidents in table 2.13.
	Figures for the rate of self-inflicted deaths and self-harm incidents in prison custody are given in tables 1.1 and 2.1 of the same bulletin. An attempted suicide can be recorded as a self-harm incident.

Prisons: Boxing

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  which (a) prisons and (b) young offenders' institutions have offered non-contact boxing programmes during the last 10 years;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer of 18 July 2013, Official Report, column 841W, on prisons: boxing, for what reasons the National Offender Management Service requires that establishments must not deliver training and instruction in combat sports such as boxing; and whether this requirement applies to non-contact forms of boxing;
	(3)  pursuant to the answer of 18 July 2013, Official Report, column 841W, on prisons: boxing, when the National Offender Management Service expects to complete its assessment of the controlled non-contact boxing programme at HM Prison Young Offenders' Institution Doncaster.

Jeremy Wright: The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) has a responsibility to monitor physical education provision against a specification that applies to all prisons. What activities are provided depends on a number of factors, which include type of prisoner and resources available. The decision on the activities provided will rest with each Governing Governor or Director/Controller.
	NOMS, through Governors, has a duty of care to staff and prisoners and protecting both from acts of violence is of immense importance.
	NOMS centrally does not maintain records of what type of activity each prison provides but is aware of a controlled non-contact boxing programme that was delivered at HMP Doncaster and a similar programme at HMP/YOI Ashfield prison that ran in conjunction with a community partner academy. These programmes are no longer running.
	NOMS supported a request to explore the benefits of a non-contact boxing programme delivered by the Police Community Clubs of Great Britain at HMP Doncaster. The programme ended in September 2013 before any formal assessment could be carried out, due to a lack of suitable students. I have imposed strict criteria on which prisoners can be selected. No decision has been made at HMP Doncaster for the continuation of the programme.

Prisons: Overcrowding

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what proportion of prisoners were in overcrowded conditions in England and Wales in each month since May 2010;
	(2)  what proportion of prisoners were in doubled accommodation in (a) total and (b) each prison in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011 and (iii) 2012;
	(3)  what proportion of prisoners were in doubled accommodation in each month since May 2010.

Jeremy Wright: The UK Government is committed to providing safe, decent and secure places for those in custody.
	Figures relating to the number of prisoners who are currently held in cells that have been safely adapted to hold extra prisoners are published annually by the National Offender Management Service. In 2012-13 these figures were at their lowest point since 2001-02.
	The proportions of prisoners in such accommodation in total and in each prison for financial years up to 2012/13 can be accessed from the Gov.uk website via the following link:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/225234/prison-performance-digest-12-13.xls
	The following table shows the percentage of prisoners in such accommodation for each month between May 2010 and March 2013 (the latest available).
	
		
			  Percentage of prisoners who are held in cells that have been safely adapted to hold extra prisoners Percentage of prisoners who are held in cells that have been safely adapted to hold two prisoners rather than one 
			 2010   
			 April 23.9 22.9 
			 May 24.0 22.9 
			 June 23.5 22.5 
			 July 23.5 22.5 
			 August 23.6 22.6 
			 September 24.1 23.0 
			 October 23.8 22.8 
			 November 24.3 23.3 
			 December 23.2 21.8 
			    
			 2011   
			 January 23.7 22.4 
			 February 24.2 23.1 
			 March 23.6 22.6 
			 April 23.3 22.3 
			 May 23.4 22.4 
			 June 23.4 22.3 
			 July 22.9 21.7 
		
	
	
		
			 August 24.3 23.2 
			 September 24.5 23.4 
			 October 24.7 23.7 
			 November 23.4 22.4 
			 December 24.2 23.1 
			    
			 2012   
			 January 24.7 23.7 
			 February 24.8 23.8 
			 March 24.2 23.7 
			 April 24.3 23.3 
			 May 24.4 23.4 
			 June 23.8 22.7 
			 July 23.3 22.1 
			 August 23.9 22.5 
			 September 23.6 22.8 
			 October 23.3 22.5 
			 November 22.7 21.8 
			 December 22.0 21.0 
			    
			 2013   
			 January 22.3 21.3 
			 February 22.5 21.3 
			 March 22.8 21.8 
		
	
	Figures for 2013-14 will be available in July 2014.

Probation

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he has undertaken an evaluation of (a) the effects on the probation system of the introduction of a payment by results model and (b) the effectiveness of similar systems operating in other countries.

Jeremy Wright: Our Transforming Rehabilitation proposals will see the roll out of a payment by results model that will offer strong incentives to providers to focus on reducing reoffending.
	The United Kingdom is leading the way in implementing such a model. We are currently piloting a number of different approaches to payment by results across Government and have gained valuable learning to date.
	The lessons we have drawn from implementing our pilots and from the experience of other Departments in using Payment by Results give us confidence that we can design and commission robust contracts that drive the right behaviours and generate value for money.
	Of particular value in terms of learning for the Transforming Rehabilitation reforms are the pilots in HMP Peterborough and HMP Doncaster. The interim results for these pilots and reducing reoffending rates are encouraging and can be found at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/254186/annex-a-payment-by-results-oct13.pdf
	Final results for the first pilot cohorts will be available in 2014.

Probation: Private Sector

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  whether Atos has been approved for the purposes of competitive tendering for the provision of probation services in England and Wales;
	(2)  how many companies or consortia have been approved for the purposes of competitive tendering for the provision of probation services in England and Wales;
	(3)  whether Capita has been approved for the purposes of competitive tendering for the provision of probation services in England and Wales;
	(4)  whether G4S has been approved for the purposes of competitive tendering for the provision of probation services in England and Wales.

Jeremy Wright: On 19 September we launched the competition to find the future owners of the 21 community rehabilitation companies (CRCs) which will deliver rehabilitation services in England and Wales, as set out in the Transforming Rehabilitation strategy, announced in May. The Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) stage of the competition closed on 14 November and 35 bidders, representing more than 50 organisations, have submitted a PQQ. We are encouraged by this response, which demonstrates that innovative partnerships between organisations of all sectors will be bidding to run CRCs.
	No organisations have been yet been approved under this process as the evaluation of responses is ongoing. The competition will continue through 2014 with contracts being awarded and mobilised by 2015.

Probation: Private Sector

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  whether GEO has been approved for the purposes of competitive tendering for probation services in England and Wales;
	(2)  whether Delta has been approved for the purposes of competitive tendering for probation services in England and Wales;
	(3)  whether Stonham Home Housing Group has been approved for the purposes of competitive tendering for probation services in England and Wales.

Jeremy Wright: On 19 September we launched the competition to find the future owners of the 21 Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) which will deliver rehabilitation services in England and Wales, as set out in the Transforming Rehabilitation Strategy, announced in May. The Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) stage of the competition closed on 14 November. 35 bidders, representing more than 50 organisations, have submitted a PQQ. We are encouraged by this response, which demonstrates that innovative partnerships between organisations of all sectors will be bidding to run CRCs.
	No organisations have been yet been approved under this process as the evaluation of responses is ongoing. The competition will continue through 2014 with contracts being awarded and mobilised by 2015.

Procurement

Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what companies have formally expressed an interest in bidding as a potential provider for his Department's Compliance and Enforcement Service contract since the contract notice was published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Shailesh Vara: We are not in a position to disclose the names of the companies who have expressed an interest in bidding as a potential provider for the Compliance and Enforcement Services competition following publication of the contract notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.
	This information is commercially sensitive as we have not announced the outcome of the pre-qualification stage.

Sexual Offences: Victim Support Schemes

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 16 October 2013, Official Report, column 787W, on sexual offences: victim support schemes, what support is available to male perpetrators of sexual violence or abuse whose offending behaviour is related to their own past experience as a victim of sexual abuse or violence.

Jeremy Wright: As part of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) Rehabilitation Services Specification, providers of prison services for both public and privately-managed prisons are required to ensure that all
	“prisoners who have been victims of domestic violence, rape or abuse have access as required, to appropriate support throughout custody”.
	NHS England and NHS Wales provide a range of mental health services in custody in England and Wales which can be accessed through appropriate referral. Prisoners can also refer themselves or be referred to the prisons health care provider, who can facilitate contact with relevant services such as counselling. Offenders in the community are able to access mainstream treatment services available to the general population and offender managers will provide support to offenders in seeking help from NHS provision.
	Sex offending treatment programmes are not primarily intended to help people deal with their own victimisation experiences as the main purpose is to address their offending behaviour. However, evaluation studies have found that offenders who complete such programmes usually report reduced feelings of distress and see themselves as better able to manage their emotions. Where a prisoner with a sexual offence is not ready for treatment owing to problems with emotional or mental well-being resulting from their own experience of abuse, a referral can be made to the prison health care provider.
	Finally, NOMS part-funds the “Stop it Now” helpline which provides advice and support to offenders and professionals working with sexual offenders.

Social Security Benefits: Kettering

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average wait for a benefit appeal tribunal hearing for benefit claimants from the Kettering constituency is; what steps he is taking to reduce these waiting times to at least the national average; and what the reasons are for the length of wait faced by claimants in Kettering constituency.

Shailesh Vara: The first-tier tribunal—Social Security and Child Support (SSCS), administered by HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS), hears appeals against Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) decisions on a range of benefits.
	The average waiting time from receipt to disposal for all SSCS appeals between April and September 2013 (the latest period for which statistics have been published) was 18.5 weeks nationally and 35.2 weeks in the Kettering venue.
	There was a build up of cases at the SSCS tribunal in Kettering due to a lack of suitable accommodation. The tribunal’s work load is often unpredictable but HMCTS has responded quickly to put in place more hearing rooms and more judges to increase the capacity of the tribunal. Additional venue capacity was made available at Kettering magistrates court in June 2012 which has led to a 300% rise in SSCS sessions in Kettering. HMCTS has continued to target extra resources at Kettering in order to reduce waiting times for appellants. From January 2014, an additional day a week is being made available at the venue, which will increase capacity by 400% overall, and which will have a positive impact on waiting times.
	The effect on waiting times will not be immediate, especially as the oldest cases, which can take longer to hear, are being targeted first. Older cases are more likely to be complex and have had more than one hearing, for example, a first hearing may have been adjourned for further evidence to be gathered and submitted. Complex cases also often need a longer time slot, reducing the number of cases that can be heard per session. The impact these measures have on waiting times continues to be monitored closely.
	Where possible, appellants are given the opportunity to have their appeals heard at alternative venues in order to avoid unnecessary delays. HMCTS is also seeking to identify additional hearing venues in the area so that capacity can be further increased.

Trials

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average daily cost is of a (a) Crown court trial and (b) magistrates' court trial.

Shailesh Vara: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given to on 14 October 2013, Official Report, columns 502-04W.

HEALTH

Accident and Emergency Departments

Margaret Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time in accident and emergency was (a) in Barking, Bexley, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, (b) across London and (c) in England in each of the last four (i) quarters and (ii) years.

Jane Ellison: There are three measures of waiting times in the NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) for accident and emergency (A&E). These are time to assessment; time to treatment; and time to departure. The information requested is shown in the following tables. Final data for 2012-13 are not yet available.
	
		
			 Mean and median duration to assessment1 for attendances at A&E departments (all types) for 2008-09 to 2011-12 and 2011-12 quarterly data for Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, across London and England 
			   Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust London Strategic Health Authority England 
			  Quarter Mean Median Mean Median Mean Median 
			 2008-09 — 31.6 9 85.2 8 60.8 7 
			 2009-10 — 35.4 12 124.2 10 76.8 9 
			 2010-11 — 37.5 13 107.8 14 64.5 10 
			 2011-12 — 21.7 14 40.6 12 33.1 8 
			 2011-12 April to June 22.1 13 57.3 13 38.8 9 
			  July to September 20.0 12 41.1 11 33.5 8 
			  October to December 21.5 14 31.8 11 29.5 8 
			  January to March 23.0 15 32.1 12 30.5 9 
			 Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre 
		
	
	
		
			 Mean and Median duration to treatment2 for attendances at A&E departments (all types) for 2008-09 to 2011-12 and 2011-12 quarterly data for Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, across London and England 
			   Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust London Strategic Health Authority England 
			  Quarter Mean Median Mean Median Mean Median 
			 2008-09 — 87.7 78 200.3 92 115.6 55 
			 2009-10 — 90.4 82 177.2 86 102.0 55 
			 2010-11 — 96.3 88 161.3 88 98.4 58 
			 2011-12 — 98.6 90 88.8 64 75.4 52 
			 2011-12 April to June 95.3 88 93.7 69 78.3 55 
			  July to September 89.8 82 88.2 60 73.7 50 
			  October to December 98.2 89 86.5 63 74.1 51 
			  January to March 109.7 101 87.0 65 75.4 53 
			 Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre 
		
	
	
		
			 Mean and Median duration to departure3 for attendances at A&E departments (all types) for 2008-09 to 2011-12 and 2011-12 quarterly data for Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, across London and England 
			   Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust London Strategic Health Authority England 
			  Quarter Mean Median Mean Median Mean Median 
			 2008-09 — 176.5 166 162.4 138 136.2 117 
			 2009-10 — 172.4 171 150.9 141 134.7 122 
			 2010-11 — 195.1 188 158.3 148 145.7 130 
			 2011-12 — 198.6 188 148.0 140 . 138.2 125 
			 2011-12 April to June 194.8 188 145.1 140 136.9 125 
			  July to September 174.7 180 144.2 136 133.5 120 
			  October to December 198.5 187 149.2 141 139.0 125 
			  January to March 223.5 196 153.3 144 143.2 129 
			 Notes: Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector. 1 Duration to assessment: This is the total amount of time in minutes between the patients' arrival and their initial assessment in the accident and emergency (A&E) department. This is calculated as the difference in time from arrival at A&E to the time when the patient is initially assessed. 2 Duration to treatment: This is the total amount of time in minutes between the patients' arrival and the start of their treatment. This is calculated as the difference in time from arrival at A&E to the time when the patient began treatment. 3 Duration to departure: This is total amount of time spent in minutes in an A&E department. This is calculated as the difference in time from arrival at A&E to the time when the patient is discharged from A&E care. This includes being admitted to hospital, dying in the department, discharged with no follow up or discharged and referred to another specialist department. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre

Accident and Emergency Departments

Margaret Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients visited accident and emergency departments in (a) Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, (b) each London NHS Trust and (c) England in each year since 2010.

Jane Ellison: The information requested is shown in the following table.
	These data reflect organisational changes as well as changes in activity levels and therefore comparison between trusts may not be appropriate. For example, during 2012- 13 Type 3 accident and emergency services previously provided by primary care trusts transferred to NHS trusts, NHS foundation trusts or the independent sector.
	
		
			 Attendances in all accident and emergency departments in Barking, Havering and Redbridge University NHS Trust, NHS Trusts and NHS Foundation Trusts in London and England, by year, from April 2009 to March 2013 
			  2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 
			 Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust 187,059 180,574 219,208 247,373 
			 Barts Health NHS Trust — — — 434,817 
			 Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust 86,653 86,723 88,370 92,221 
			 North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust 112,977 136,876 139,229 149,690 
			 The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 103,980 105,901 122,971 140,667 
			 North East London NHS Foundation Trust — — 34,475 54,528 
			 Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 109,870 109,720 112,439 112,993 
			 Ealing Hospital NHS Trust 98,812 84,224 102,923 104,578 
			 West Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust 102,725 105,614 107,366 136,199 
			 Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust 104,116 111,030 137,814 — 
			 Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust 154,214 159,933 162,571 167,522 
			 Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust 129,224 112,958 112,412 114,213 
			 Croydon Health Services NHS Trust 159,867 139,753 131,969 137,621 
			 St George's Healthcare NHS Trust 111,717 147,728 179,683 163,405 
			 King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 149,566 149,216 148,765 152,056 
			 The Whittington Hospital NHS Trust 95,209 98,208 89,047 94,737 
			 Newham University Hospital NHS Trust 68,346 68,156 119,516 — 
			 Barts and the London NHS Trust 124,879 130,881 151,982 — 
			 Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 69,383 74,788 78,977 82,299 
			 Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust — 26,944 36,951 38,705 
			 Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 100,746 107,991 113,930 112,917 
			 Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 112,357 111,204 112,567 119,545 
			 University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 100,756 106,749 111,073 119,139 
			 North West London Hospitals NHS Trust 245,779 289,407 210,525 214,343 
			 Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust 152,101 151,540 152,129 158,019 
			 Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust 135,998 139,717 142,509 141,461 
			 Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust — — 46,758 45,828 
			 East London NHS Foundation Trust — 10,921 — — 
			 Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust 235,341 254,858 269,793 280,153 
			 South London Healthcare NHS Trust 282,484 222,424 207,675 264,720 
			 Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust — — 165,899 208,130 
			 England Total 20,511,908 21,380,985 21,481,402 21,738,637 
			 Note: Missing data reflect the change in provision of services over the period. For example NHS Trust mergers and the provision of type 3 accident and emergency services by community trusts. Source: NHS England

Accident and Emergency Departments

Margaret Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients waited longer than the admission target to accident and emergency in (a) Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, (b) each NHS trust in London and (c) England in each month in 2012-13.

Jane Ellison: The information requested is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Number of patients attending all types of accident and emergency department who waited more than four hours to transfer, discharge or admission in (a) Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS trust, (b) each NHS trust and NHS foundation trust in London and (c) in England, by month1 from April 2012 to March 2013 
			  2012 2013 
			 NHS trust name Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar 
			 Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust 3,003 2,574 1,707 1,474 1,266 2,040 1,163 2,357 3,391 4,051 3,122 2,677 
			 Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust 470 213 465 511 378 824 452 496 825 1,304 1,110 557 
			 Barts Health NHS Trust 1,202 1,791 1,504 1,245 1,536 1,330 1,331 1,361 1,826 2,180 2,435 2,408 
			 Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 94 121 126 142 119 123 99 172 183 166 159 125 
			 Croydon Health Services NHS Trust 518 795 675 556 629 529 238 474 614 701 805 1,040 
			 Ealing Hospital NHS Trust 302 304 196 155 182 193 198 264 401 367 412 223 
			 Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust 275 254 258 218 234 319 248 513 593 430 607 484 
		
	
	
		
			 Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust 541 1,221 684 313 541 416 624 778 931 824 681 613 
			 Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 303 475 250 324 338 275 381 370 278 388 388 316 
			 Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust 5 7 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust 551 635 313 465 481 567 615 825 713 850 737 977 
			 King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 430 706 637 506 669 522 265 512 542 732 720 745 
			 Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 362 371 255 214 301 310 260 448 408 402 383 317 
			 Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust 289 494 418 337 435 334 398 543 813 827 591 878 
			 Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 38 22 42 59 12 21 13 27 49 42 64 97 
			 North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust 263 530 338 667 333 326 371 559 529 743 564 519 
			 North West London Hospitals NHS Trust 374 625 646 496 391 660 848 1,164 1,472 2,586 1,825 2,123 
			 Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust 28 2 6 5 2 5 2 4 0 0 12 17 
			 Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust 395 320 261 294 336 344 217 400 342 455 298 289 
			 South London Healthcare NHS Trust 964 663 617 515 969 629 1,005 1,010 1,563 2,103 1,939 2,111 
			 St George's Healthcare NHS Trust 505 623 332 511 580 479 519 692 670 529 521 610 
			 The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 193 516 262 247 223 226 297 337 664 590 774 343 
			 The Whittington Hospital NHS Trust 327 654 282 357 246 457 318 398 400 471 364 297 
			 University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 366 491 391 300 268 422 824 676 249 509 675 307 
			 West Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust 246 340 234 125 186 237 177 258 408 347 186 218 
			 England 60,799 69,695 57,258 50,953 60,795 56,173 62,733 81,076 88,160 109,178 95,434 109,157 
			 1 Because the data is collected weekly, some months are a sum of four weeks of data while others are a sum of five weeks of data. Source: NHS England

Accident and Emergency Departments

Margaret Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many medical posts in accident and emergency departments were left vacant in (a) Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, (b) each NHS trust in London and (c) England in each year in 2009-10.

Daniel Poulter: The number of medical posts in accident and emergency departments left vacant in Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, in each of the NHS trusts in London and England in 2009 and 2010 is available for consultants only and has been placed in the Library.

Accident and Emergency Departments

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the proportion of accident and emergency departments which have at least one alcohol liaison nurse.

Jane Ellison: Two recent studies have assessed the number of alcohol liaison nurses in accident and emergency departments (A&E).
	A King's College London survey in 2012 found that 72% of A&E departments in England had access to an alcohol health worker or clinical nurse specialist.
	This year, a report by the National Confidential Inquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (‘Measuring the Units, A review of patients who died with alcohol-related liver disease’) found that 161 out of 205 hospitals (79%) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey reported having an alcohol liaison service.
	Public Health England has recently conducted a survey of hospital-based alcohol services which includes information about alcohol liaison nurses. The report of the survey will be published in early 2014.

Accident and Emergency Departments: East Midlands

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide additional funding to NHS trusts in the East Midlands for development of resilience to increased pressures on accident and emergency departments during winter.

Jane Ellison: We recognise that winter places additional pressures on accident and emergency departments. That is why we have allocated £250 million of additional winter funding, much earlier than previous years, to NHS England to help cope with winter pressures (with another £250 million for 2014-15). Decisions on which trusts to concentrate the resources for the upcoming winter were made jointly by NHS England, Monitor and the NHS Trust Development Authority.
	NHS England has also announced a further £150 million to ensure the national health service is able to maintain the current high-level of patient care during winter. It has gone to those areas which did not receive additional funding from the Government two months ago, and has helped them bolster existing plans.

Alzheimer's Disease

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in each region of the UK were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, by region in each of the last five years.

Norman Lamb: The number of people recorded on practice disease registers is available in the quality and outcomes framework (QOF), published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC). The number of diagnoses are not available but the number of people on the dementia register are available. This is a measure of prevalence rather than incidence.
	QOF does not have any information specifically on Alzheimer’s disease and the HSCIC only has information for England.
	The numbers on the dementia register in the last five years are given in the following tables. Information for 2008-09 to 2011-12 (table 1) is presented at strategic health authority level and for 2012-13, under the new NHS structure, at commissioning region level (table 2).
	QOF registers are constructed to underpin indicators on quality of care, and they do not necessarily equate to prevalence as may be defined by epidemiologists. For example, prevalence figures based on QOF registers may differ from prevalence figures from other sources because of coding or definitional issues. It is difficult to interpret year-on-year changes in the size of QOF registers, for example, a gradual rise in patients on a QOF register could be due partly to epidemiological factors (such as an ageing population) or due partly to increased case finding.
	
		
			 Table 1: Number of patients on the QOF dementia register by strategic health authority in England, 2008-09 to 2011-12 
			  2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 
			 England 232,430 249,463 266,697 293,738 
			 North East 13,198 14,034 15,014 16,568 
			 North West 34,057 35,952 38,230 42,158 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 24,844 26,755 28,845 31,908 
			 East Midlands 20,089 21,625 23,423 25,953 
			 West Midlands 23,866 25,622 27,735 30,386 
			 East of England 25,315 27,591 29,578 31,975 
			 London 24,859 26,745 28,255 31,160 
			 South East Coast 21,442 23,037 24,284 26,419 
			 South Central 18,840 20,044 21,085 23,114 
		
	
	
		
			 South West 25,920 28,058 30,248 34,097 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 2: Number of patients on the QOF dementia register by commissioning region in England in 2012-13 
			  2012-13 
			 England 318,669 
			 North of England 98,768 
			 Midlands and East of England 96,274 
			 London 33,333 
			 South of England 90,294 
			 Source: Health and Social Care Information Centre.

Arthritis: Children

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children have been diagnosed with juvenile arthritis in each of the last three years.

Daniel Poulter: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data does not directly collect information on the number of children diagnosed with juvenile arthritis (which would include diagnoses in out-patient clinics). The following table gives the number of finished admission episodes for children aged 0 to 17 years with a primary diagnosis of juvenile arthritis in England for 2010-11 to 2012-13, comprising activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector.
	
		
			  Finished admission episodes 
			 2010-11 7,439 
			 2011-12 8,615 
			 2012-13 8,889 
			 Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre. 
		
	
	A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one health care provider.

Blood: Donors

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much blood has been donated in each NHS blood and transplant local area, in each month of the last two years;
	(2)  how many donor sessions for each NHS blood and transplant local area, ran in each month of the last two years;
	(3)  how many full-time staff are employed in each NHS blood and transplant local area;
	(4)  how many donors in each NHS blood and transplant local area, have given blood (a) six or more times a year, (b) between four and six times a year, (c) between two and four times a year and (d) once a year in each of the last two years;
	(5)  how many registered donors there are in each NHS blood and transplant local area;
	(6)  how much blood was donated in each NHS blood and transplant local area in each of the last five years.

Jane Ellison: The information, which was provided by NHS Blood and Transplant, has been placed in the Library.
	Additionally, constituency based information for all English constituencies can be found at:
	www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/news/constituency_statistics/constituency_statistics.html

Cancer

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 3 July 2013, Official Report, column 700W, on cancer, what steps (a) his Department and (b) NHS England is taking to ensure that cancer survival rates in Britain match the level of the best in Europe;
	(2)  what steps his Department is taking to improve the experience of older people with cancer.

Jane Ellison: Our Mandate to NHS England set out an ambition to make England one of the most successful countries in Europe at preventing premature deaths from illnesses like cancer.
	On 10 December 2013, the Department, NHS England and Public Health England jointly published the third annual report on the implementation of our Cancer Outcomes Strategy. The strategy set out actions to tackle preventable cancer incidence, improve the quality and efficiency of cancer services; improve patients' experience of care; improve quality of life for cancer survivors; and deliver outcomes that are comparable with the best in Europe. The third annual report sets out progress over the last year, including:
	significant developments in cancer screening—particularly on the first phase of introducing Bowel Scope Screening;
	activity to promote earlier diagnosis of symptomatic cancers, through the Be Clear on Cancer campaigns and the associated work with primary and secondary care;
	progress in ensuring better access for all to the best possible treatment, such as improved-access to Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy; and
	significant developments in the collection and reporting of new datasets and the analysis of information, to drive improvements and to inform patients.
	The report also provides an update on work to improve the experience of cancer patients. On 30 August 2013, NHS England published the report of the 2013 Cancer Patient Experience Survey, which showed that cancer patients' experience of care is improving with 88% of patients reporting that their care was either excellent or very good. However, the survey also found that variation in experience remained between with some groups of patients, such as older people, reporting less positive views about their treatment.
	The trust level reports of the survey provide benchmarked data nationally and between teams, allowing providers to identify priority improvement areas. In addition to this NHS Improving Quality, the new NHS Improvement body, is working on rapid response programme to visits trusts with poor scores to discuss results and suggest improvements. NHS England will also work with high performing trusts to identify best practice that can be shared and developed into toolkits. It will then work with trusts with poorer scores to review how they use insight to develop service improvement plans.
	A copy of ‘Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer Third Annual Report’ has been placed in the Library.

Cancer

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to improve the prevention and earlier diagnosis of (a) kidney, (b) stomach, (c) ovarian and (d) colorectal cancer.

Jane Ellison: Along with our partners in Public Health England, we are taking wide-ranging action to tackle risk factors for the prevention of diseases, including cancer, and addressing: tobacco use; obesity; unhealthy diets; physical inactivity; and harmful consumption of alcohol. Key elements of the work programme involve action at the national level, including working with industry through the Public Health Responsibility Deal, alongside strengthening local action, promoting healthy choices, and giving appropriate information to support healthier lives through social marketing campaigns such as Change4Life.
	On the prevention of cancer specifically, we are offering vaccination of young women against human papillomavirus, which is known to cause most cervical cancers, and funding activity on skin cancer prevention.
	In partnership with the Department and NHS England (including NHS Improving Quality), Public Health England has taken on the running of the Be Clear on Cancer (BCOC) campaigns to highlight the symptoms of a range of cancers and to encourage people with the relevant symptoms to visit their general practitioner. To date we have run national BCOC campaigns to raise awareness on "blood in poo" as a symptom of bowel cancer and "blood in pee" as a symptom of kidney (and bladder) cancer. We have run local pilots for ovarian and oesophagogastric cancers. The oesophagogastric cancer pilot covered symptoms of oesophageal and stomach cancers. These campaigns have now been upgraded and in early 2014 will run as regional pilots. We have also run national campaigns on lung cancer.
	Cancer screening is also an important way to detect cancer early. Since it began inviting men and women aged 60 to 69 in 2006 (now extended to men and women aged up to 75), over 12 million home testing kits have been returned completed as part of the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, and over 17,500 cancers diagnosed. Public Health England is now piloting Bowel Scope Screening (BSS), a one-off complementary screening method to the home testing kits for men and women aged 55, with the potential to save 3,000 lives a year. The Secretary of State's commitment is to have the BSS programme rolled out to 60% of England by the end of March 2015, and the rest of England by the end of 2016.

Care Homes

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued to care homes on prevention of the spread of (a) norovirus and (b) other diseases.

Jane Ellison: Guidelines for the management of norovirus outbreaks in acute and community health and social care settings were published in March 2012. The ‘Guidelines for the management of norovirus outbreaks in acute and community health and social care settings’ includes specific advice for the management of norovirus outbreaks in nursing and. residential homes. In addition, Public Health England (PHE) will be ensuring that an alert system is in place to warn health care providers of any norovirus outbreak in care homes, so that infection control measures can be implemented immediately.
	An information resource on the prevention and control of infection generally in care homes was published in February 2013. The resource was developed by the Department of Health (England) and the Health Protection Agency (now PHE) in conjunction with the Care Quality Commission. The aim of the resource is to provide information and guidance on infection prevention and control that wilt aid care home managers when they undertake risk assessments and develop local policies.

Carnall Farrar LLP

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many contracts NHS England awarded to Carnall Farrar LLP in the last five years; and what the (a) value and (b) date was of each such contract.

Daniel Poulter: NHS England, legally known as the NHS Commissioning Board, took on its full responsibilities on 1 April 2013 but came into being in shadow form as a special health authority in October 2011. NHS England has advised it has not awarded any contracts to Carnall Farrar LLP since then.

Clinical Commissioning Groups

Debbie Abrahams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with NHS England on changes to the funding formula for clinical commissioning groups.

Daniel Poulter: NHS England and the Department have been discussing health funding, including progress on the fundamental review of allocations, at regular meetings.
	Responsibility for resource allocation is a matter for NHS England as set out in The Mandate. NHS England is overseeing the fundamental review of allocation policy and will draw on the expert advice of the independent Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation (ACRA) and involve a range of external partners. NHS England will consider the recommendations and findings of ACRA as part of this.

Clinical Commissioning Groups

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes in per capita funding to (a) NHS Mansfield and Ashfield Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and (b) NHS Nottingham West CCG are being proposed in the 2013-14 working paper on CCG allocations and indicative target allocations.

Daniel Poulter: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stafford (Jeremy Lefroy) on 9 December 2013, Official Report, column 94W.
	NHS England is currently considering the initial findings arising from the fundamental review of allocations policy as it decides on 2014-15 clinical commissioning group allocations.

Diabetes

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he took to raise awareness of diabetes on World Diabetes Day on 14 November 2013.

Jane Ellison: The Government recognises the important role of World Diabetes Day in raising awareness of the condition across the globe. On World Diabetes Day, I participated in a radio interview to discuss the importance of the prevention and earlier diagnosis of diabetes, particularly among the South Asian community who are at an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
	Across the national health service a number of local initiatives took place to mark World Diabetes Day this year, including scheduled talks at health fairs and local specialist diabetes teams offering free health checks and risk assessments.

Female Genital Mutilation

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to implement the recommendations in the report, Tackling FGM in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Ellison: The Government welcomes the inter-collegiate report Tackling FGM in the United Kingdom, published recently. Female genital mutilation (FGM) is child abuse. We are committed to preventing and tackling FGM and are clear that safeguarding, prevention and a multi-agency approach are important to protect girls and young women from this abhorrent procedure.
	It is a priority of the Department to continue working with the medical Royal Colleges and other organisations supporting this report, Government departments and the Director of Public Prosecutions towards eradicating FGM in England. I recently met with stakeholders and representatives from Royal Colleges involved in the development of the inter-collegiate report to discuss the report's recommendations, and the group will meet again in the new year to continue this dialogue.
	The Department is currently looking at how best the national health service could collect and share information on FGM, with options in development to collect information on prevalence. With this work under way I will be looking to make an announcement in the new year.

Food Banks

Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which food banks each Minister in his Department has visited since May 2010.

Daniel Poulter: No Department of Health Ministers have made a visit to a food bank since May 2010.

General Practitioners

Therese Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the expenditure by NHS England (a) in total and (b) per capita for each GP practice in England was in 2012-13.

Daniel Poulter: NHS England did not take on its role until April 2013.
	For 2012-13, the Department's expenditure on general practice (GP) in England was £8,459.3 million.
	Per capita expenditure for GP practices is not collected centrally.

Health Services

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS trusts in the east midlands have failed to meet their referral to treatment targets since May 2010; and in what months each such failure occurred.

Jane Ellison: The national health service trusts in the east midlands which have not consistently met each of the three standards for referral to treatment (RTT) waiting times since May 2010 are shown in the following tables. The months in which the standards have not been met are also shown for each trust. The standard for incomplete pathways was introduced in April 2012.
	
		
			 RTT waiting times, admitted completed pathways 
			 Trust Months when standard missed 
			 Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust February 2011, April 2011 to March 2012, April to June 2013 
			 Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust November 2010, March 2011 
			 Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust March to July 2012 
			 Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust August to November 2012 
			 United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust May 2010 to November 2011, September 2012, April to May 2013 
			 University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust June 2011, November 2011 to March 2012, April 2013, June to September 2013 
		
	
	
		
			 RTT waiting times, non-admitted completed pathways 
			 Trust Months when standard missed 
			 Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust December 2010 to January 2011 
			 Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust August to November 2012 
			 United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust February to March 2011, July to November 2011; January to February 2012 , July 2012 and September 2012 
			 University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust September 2013 
		
	
	
		
			 RTT waiting times, incomplete pathways (from April 2012) 
			 Trust Months when standard missed 
			 Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust April to June 2012 
			 Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust July to September 2012 
			 United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust June to July 2012 
			 Source: Monthly RTT data, NHS England

Hospitals: ICT

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment his Department made of the performance of IT systems in hospitals in England.

Daniel Poulter: There has not been a recent national assessment of the performance of information technology (IT) systems in hospitals in England. The majority of IT systems used in hospitals are managed and assessed at a local level to ensure they support local requirements.
	However it is important that such systems are developed within a framework of national standards that will ensure that better quality information can move freely and safely around the system.
	To help track progress in delivering appropriate IT systems in the NHS, NHS England, in conjunction with EHI Intelligence
	www.ehi.co.uk/ehi-intelligence/CDMI-report.cfm
	launched a Clinical Digital Maturity Index on 5 November this year. This index reports the underlying information technology capability that national health service organisations have to enable them to deliver high quality patient care. Over time the Index will demonstrate the levels of IT maturity in the NHS.
	Information systems and services supplied to NHS organisations in England under the remaining Local Service Provider contracts with British Telecommunications and Computer Sciences Corporation are governed by service level agreements (SLA). The SLAs set standards of reliability and performance which is monitored in real-time.

Hospitals: ICT

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health who provides the IT services to each hospital in NHS England.

Daniel Poulter: The majority of information technology systems used in hospitals are managed and operated at a local level by local national health service organisations according to their specific needs.

Hospitals: ICT

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received on the IT systems in use in hospitals in England.

Daniel Poulter: A search of the Department's ministerial correspondence database has identified six items of correspondence received since 1 June 2013 about the information technology (IT) systems in use in hospitals in England. This is a minimum figure which represents correspondence received by the Department's ministerial correspondence unit only.
	The Secretary of State for Health, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt) has had one meeting with Airedale Trust and clinical commissioning group to discuss integration; IT systems were mentioned. I met with the hon. Member for West Lancashire (Rosie Cooper) on 5 November to discuss the use of mobile technologies in the NHS and barriers to data sharing. Representatives from the national health service and Blackberry were also present.

Internet: Bullying

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the long-term effects of cyber bullying on its victims.

Norman Lamb: The Department has made no assessment of the long-term effect of cyber bullying.

Kidneys: Cancer

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with medical professionals about recent innovations in surgery to treat kidney cancer.

Jane Ellison: There have been no recent meetings between Ministers and medical professionals about recent innovations in surgery to treat kidney cancer.

Lung Cancer

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department spent on campaigns alerting people to the symptoms of lung cancer in each of the last five years.

Jane Ellison: Campaigns are now the responsibility of Public Health England. Be Clear on Cancer campaigns (encouraging symptom recognition and earlier general practitioner presentation) have been running since early 2011.
	Lung cancer campaigns have run regionally and nationally with the following spend:
	
		
			  £ million 
			 2011-12 0.59 
			 2012-13 2.87 
			 2013-14 1.45

NHS: Management Consultants

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what external consultancy contracts were procured by NHS London in each year since 2005; what the value of each such contract was; and what the date of each such contract was.

Daniel Poulter: This information is not held centrally and, in relation to the detail of each contract (ie with whom and on what date), could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	However, NHS London Strategic Health Authority published its total annual spend on consultancy in its annual accounts. The information is shown in the following table. It should be noted that NHS London's first annual report as a clustered strategic health authority was issued for the financial year 2006-07.
	
		
			 Financial year Total spend (£000) 
			 2012-13 15,443 
			 2011-12 11,671 
			 2010-11 112,878 
			 2009-10 23,634 
			 2008-09 30,388 
			 2007-08 25,140 
			 2006-07 10,671 
			 1 Restated in the 2011-12 accounts as £13,062.

NHS: Public Appointments

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many women were members of NHS boards in each year between 1997 and 2013.

Daniel Poulter: The following table shows the number of women appointed as chairs and non-executive directors to national health service boards in-year from 1997-98 onwards. Executive appointments are made at organisational level and therefore have not been collected centrally for the entire time period. The figures show appointments to and NHS trusts. Data on NHS foundation trusts are not held centrally.
	
		
			   Women 
			  Total Number Percentage 
			 1997-98 955 472 49.42 
			 1998-99 1,624 786 48.40 
			 1999-2000 1,095 506 46.21 
			 2000-01 1,765 835 47.31 
			 2001-02 1,575 713 45.27 
			 2002-03 1,717 777 45.25 
			 2003-04 1,112 489 43.97 
			 2004-05 1,154 525 45.49 
			 2005-06 1,027 440 42.84 
			 2006-07 2,136 829 38.81 
			 2007-08 796 280 35.18 
			 2008-09 708 240 33.90 
			 2009-10 857 298 34,77 
			 2010-11 704 278 39.49 
			 2011-12 1,071 369 34.45 
			 2012-13 375 139 37.07

Obesity

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what actions his Department is planning for National Obesity Awareness Week 2014.

Jane Ellison: National Obesity Awareness Week 2014 is an initiative led by the National Obesity Forum. Officials from the Department and Public Health England have met with the organisers to discuss ways we can engage with the initiative. In addition, I hope to attend the National Obesity Awareness Week parliamentary reception on 13 January 2014.

Obesity

William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent meetings he has held with his counterparts in the devolved Administrations on obesity problems throughout the UK.

Jane Ellison: No recent meetings have taken place. However, departmental officials meet their devolved Administration counterparts quarterly to discuss issues around obesity and diet.

Pregnancy: Mental Health Services

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what progress has been made in implementing the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines on perinatal mental health;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the (a) demand for and (b) capacity of perinatal mental health services in each NHS trust area;
	(3)  what proportion of mother and baby mental health units have been running over capacity in the last five years.

Daniel Poulter: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) clinical guideline on antenatal and postnatal mental health offers best practice advice on the care of women suffering from perinatal mental health conditions. Health professionals and the organisations who employ them are expected to take it fully into account. Implementation of the guidance is the responsibility of local national health service commissioners and providers.
	Health Education England has agreed to work with partners to ensure that pre- and post-registration training in perinatal mental health is available to enable specialist staff for every birthing unit by 2017.
	NHS England is responsible for commissioning specialised perinatal mental health services and will, through the Maternity and Children Strategic Clinical Networks, support the development of other maternity and perinatal mental health networks, as recommended in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines on antenatal and postnatal mental health. Such networks can develop action plans and collaborative working to drive improvements in access and quality of care to enhance the experience of women and families generally, and more specifically for the women who are at risk of poor mental health during pregnancy and following childbirth.
	No central assessment has been made of the demand for and capacity of perinatal mental health services in each NHS trust area, nor what proportion of mother and baby mental health units have been running over capacity in the last five years.
	The Mandate from the Government to NHS England includes an objective for NHS England to work with partner organisations to reduce the incidence and impact of postnatal depression through earlier diagnosis, and better intervention and support.
	Following publication of the NSPCC report ‘All Babies Count: Spotlight on Perinatal Mental Health’ I hosted a roundtable discussion with key partners to share initiatives.

Pregnancy: Mental Illness

Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  which NHS trusts and foundation trusts provide places in a specialist mother and baby unit where the mother may be treated for perinatal mental illness without being separated from her baby;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the sufficiency of the number of midwives trained to offer perinatal mental health support within the last five years;
	(3)  how many and which NHS trusts and foundation trusts have sufficient levels of midwives trained to support women dealing with perinatal mental illness.

Daniel Poulter: NHS England commission 17 in-patient mother and baby units, 11 of which have integrated perinatal community psychiatric teams:
	Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS FT
	Beadnell Mother and Baby Unit, Morpeth, Northumberland*
	Leeds Partnership NHS FT
	Mother and Baby Unit, The Mount, Leeds*
	Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust
	The Anderson Ward, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester*
	Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
	Margaret Oates Mother and Baby Unit, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham*
	Derbyshire Mental Health Services NHS FT
	The Beeches, Derby City General Hospital, Derby*
	Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
	Mother and Baby Unit, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester*
	South Staffordshire and Shropshire Healthcare NHS FT
	Brockington Mother and Baby Unit, St George's Hospital, Stafford*
	Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS FT
	Mother and Baby Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham*
	Hertfordshire Partnership NHS FT
	Thumbswood Mother and Baby Unit, Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, Welwyn
	North Essex Partnership NHS FT
	Rainbow Mother and Baby Unit, The Linden Centre, Chelmsford, Essex
	East London NHS FT
	Margaret Oates Mother and Baby Unit, Homerton Hospital, London*
	Central and Northwest London NHS FT
	Coombe Wood Perinatal Mental Health Unit, Coombe Wood, London
	South London and Maudsley NHS FT
	Channi Kumar Mother and Baby Unit, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Kent*
	Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health NHS FT
	New Horizons Mother and Baby Centre, Southmead Hospital, Bristol
	Hampshire Partnership NHS FT
	Perinatal Services (Mother and Baby Unit), Royal Hampshire County Hospital,Winchester, Hampshire*
	Dorset Healthcare University NHS FT
	Florence House Mother and Baby Unit, Bournemouth
	The Eastbourne Clinic
	The Eastbourne Clinic Mother and Baby Unit, Eastbourne, East Sussex.
	The current pre-registration curricular for midwifery training identifies how to support women with mental health support requirements. No central assessment had been made of the number of midwives trained to offer perinatal mental health support within the last five years, nor how many and which national health service trusts and foundation trusts have sufficient levels of midwives trained to support women dealing with perinatal mental illness.
	Health Education England (HEE) has responsibility for promoting high quality education and training that is responsive to the changing needs of patients and local communities and will work with stakeholders to influence training curricula as appropriate.
	HEE has committed to ensuring we have a work force with the right numbers, the right skills, values and behaviours to deliver high quality care for patients; and have recently published the first comprehensive workforce planning guidance, setting out a clear and transparent process for the system, which can be found at:
	http://hee.nhs.uk/wp-content/blogs.dir/321/files/2012/08/Workforce-Planning-Guide-Final-June-2013.pdf
	HEE have also agreed to work with partners to ensure that pre and post registration training in perinatal mental health is available to enable specialist staff for every birthing unit by 2017.
	HEE currently commissions approximately 2,500 training places each year and, working with NHS England, is committed to ensuring that sufficient midwives are trained and available, with an ambition to provide every woman with personalised one-to-one care through pregnancy, childbirth and during the postnatal period. This work will make recommendations on how women who have mental health support requirements or who have suffered a miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death of a baby receive appropriate support from specialised trained midwives.
	* Units that have an integrated linked specialised perinatal community psychiatric team.
	Source:
	NHS England.

Pregnancy: Mental Illness

Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the number of clinical commissioning groups with a (a) specialist designed lead for perinatal mental health and (b) perinatal mental health strategy;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the number of GPs (a) with training in dealing with perinatal mental illness and (b) who have received refresher training in the last five years.

Daniel Poulter: Information on the number of clinical commissioning groups with a specialist designed lead for perinatal mental health and perinatal mental health strategy, and the number of general practitioners with training in dealing with perinatal illness who have received refresher training in the last five years is not available.
	Health Education England (HEE) has responsibility for promoting high quality education and training that is responsive to the changing needs of patients and local communities and will work with stakeholders to influence training curricula as appropriate.
	HEE has committed to ensuring we have a workforce with the right numbers, the right skills, values and behaviours to deliver high quality care for patients, and have recently published the first comprehensive workforce planning guidance, setting out a clear and transparent process for the system, which can be found at:
	http://hee.nhs.uk/wp-content/blogs.dir/321/files/2012/08/Workforce-Planning-Guide-Final-June-2013.pdf
	HEE has also agreed to work with partners to ensure that pre and post registration training in perinatal mental health is available to enable specialist staff for every birthing unit by 2017.

Prostate Cancer

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to promote campaigns to tackle prostate cancer.

Jane Ellison: Campaigns are now the responsibility of Public Health England (PHE). Be Clear on Cancer campaigns (encouraging symptom recognition and earlier general practitioner (GP) presentation) have been running since early 2011 and have covered a number of cancers nationally and regionally; these include bowel, lung, kidney and bladder under the common symptom of “blood in pee”, breast, ovarian and oesophageal. There are no plans to include prostate cancer in the campaigns but the effect of the existing campaigns does help to encourage earlier presentation to GPs with any worrying symptoms. The “blood in pee” campaign is also relevant as this symptom can also be a sign of prostate cancer. Within PHE's screening programme there is a Prostate Cancer Risk Management Programme for the prostate one. Although not a campaign as such, the programme also covers symptoms giving men an informed choice on whether to have a prostate-specific antigen test.

School Milk

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department's plans are for the Nursery Milk Scheme.

Daniel Poulter: The Government published a consultation document entitled ‘Next Steps for Nursery Milk’ in June 2012 and undertook a survey of child care providers. This set out a number of options for how the scheme could be modernised. A copy of the document has already been placed in the Library and is available online at:
	http://consultations.dh.gov.uk/nurserymilk/nextsteps
	The Department is conducting a comprehensive analysis of all the responses to the consultation, the impact assessment and the accompanying survey of child care providers and will publish a response on the future operation of the Nursery Milk Scheme after full consideration has been given to these and other relevant information.

Smoking: Yorkshire and the Humber

Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the smoking prevalence rate is in (a) Brigg and Goole constituency and (b) Yorkshire and the Humber.

Jane Ellison: The information is not available in the format requested.
	The following table shows self-reported smoking prevalence rates by gender in the Yorkshire and the Humber region for adults (over 16 years) and children (aged 11-15 years).
	
		
			 Cigarette smoking status by gender in Yorkshire and Humber region, 2011 (adults) and 2011-12 (children) 
			  Current smokers Non-smokers 
			 Gender and age Heavy (20+ per day) Moderate (10-19 per day) Light (fewer than 10) All smokers Ex-regular smokers Never or occasionally smoked 
			 All adults (16 years +) 5 9 6 21 25 55 
			 Men 6 9 6 21 28 51 
			 Women 5 10 6 20 22 58 
		
	
	
		
			 All children (11-15 years) — — — 5 — — 
			 Boys — — — 4 — — 
			 Girls — — — 6 — — 
			 Source (adults): General Lifestyle Survey 2011. The Office for National Statistics. Source (children): Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England in 2012.

Speech Therapy: Children

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children were referred for speech therapy in each of the last five years.

Daniel Poulter: The Department does not collect data on how many children were referred for speech and language therapy. The following table gives the number of first out-patient attendances for children aged 0 to 17 years for speech and language therapy in England for 2008-09 to 2012-13.
	
		
			 Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector 
			  First out-patient attendances 
			 2008-09 1,713 
			 2009-10 2,205 
			 2010-11 4,897 
			 2011-12 3,481 
			 2012-13 8,001 
			 Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The Health and Social Care Information Centre

Stress: Obesity

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the links between stress and obesity.

Jane Ellison: The Department has made no assessment of the links between stress and obesity.
	Public Health England has investigated the relationship between obesity and mental health, but not specifically the relationship with stress.

Thalidomide

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to make a decision on the future of the thalidomide health grant.

Norman Lamb: On 20 December 2012 I announced a new 10-year grant to the Thalidomide Trust. The grant will be paid on an annual basis, uprated in line with inflation, which means that over the 10-year period it will be worth in the region of £80 million.

Tobacco: Smuggling

Bob Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government is taking to ensure that the provisions of the revised European Union Tobacco Product Directive are in accordance with the provisions in the World Health Organisation's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control's Protocol to eliminate the illicit trade in tobacco products that govern implementation of control systems.

Jane Ellison: The Department's assessment is that Article 14 of the proposed European Tobacco Products Directive goes beyond the requirements of the Protocol. We will continue to work during the current Trilogue negotiations between member states, the European Parliament and the European Commission to make the tracking and tracing provisions as proportionate as possible.

USA

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what study trips to America (a) his Department and (b) the NHS undertook in 2008; which senior staff in (i) his Department and (ii) NHS London took part in each such trip; and what the cost to the public purse was of each such trip.

Daniel Poulter: The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last had discussions on the future of Warrington and Halton NHS Trust; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Ellison: No such discussions have taken place.